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UNHCR: Over 850,000 Syrian refugees, Lebanese need winter aid

BEIRUT, Feb 17 (KUNA) -- More than 850,000 Syrian refugees and Lebanese citizens need aid as winter blows in across Lebanon, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said.
It said in a report Friday it is launching a winter program that includes cash assistance from November 2016 to March 2017 - to enable families in need to buy fuel and other winter essentials.
The program also involves the distribution of blankets, stoves and materials to weatherproof vulnerable families' fragile shelters, it added.
It noted that Lebanon hosts more than 1.11 million refugees.
It quoted international humanitarian agencies and Lebanese government as calling for USD 2.4 million in aid to help refugees, noting that over USD 1.12 billion have been allocated for Lebanon's winter response. (end) ayb.mt