Refugee crises - We need to do so very much more

The bitter civil war in Syria has forced more than 2m people to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring countries. The conflict’s death toll has reached something around 130,000 souls already.

Some countries are better placed to cope with this tragic influx of people, mostly the old, the very young, or women, fleeing for their lives; but not all are.

Aid agencies have warned that Lebanon may be overwhelmed and destabilised by the consequences of the war. There are already around 1m refugees in the country and another 500,000 are anticipated this year. This puts an enormous strain on the country, one with a population more or less on a par with our own. It is certain that we could not support 1.5m refugees with any degree of dignity or comfort but that is what Lebanon is being asked to do. The challenge seems all but impossible even with what seems significant international aid.