BEIRUT: The first batch of Syrian families who have fled violence in Syria and initially sought shelter in Lebanon arrived in Qatar as part of royal efforts to help refugees, the official Qatar News Agency said Thursday.
It said 42 Syrian nationals arrived in Doha late Wednesday coming from Lebanon.
“Upon orders from the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Khalifa al-Thani and as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, Qatar has decided to shelter a number of Syrian families and widows fleeing Syria as a result of military operations by the Syrian regime against the citizens,” QNA said.
The news agency said Qatar will provide the incoming families with housing, health care, education and livelihood opportunities.
Dr. Antoine Qaimar, a physician assigned by Qatar to provide humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, was quoted by QNA as saying that the group of Syrian refugees that arrived in Doha Wednesday was the first.
He said another group, this time of 28 individuals, is expected to arrive in Doha soon.
“This is the first initiative of this kind [to be launched] by a Gulf state,” Qaimar said.