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Beware of Fraud on Winter Cash Assistance

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📣This message is shared though the UNHCR WhatsApp communication📣

Fraudsters pretending to work with UNHCR are circulating fraudulent messages concerning winter cash assistance on Facebook and TikTok! 

This year, UNHCR will not provide winter cash assistance due to reduced funds.

These fraudsters are trying to mislead you! 

Do not engage with fraudsters and do not share your personal information!

All services provided by UNHCR and its partners are always free of charge!

If you have been a victim of fraud or exploitation, or if you suspect fraud, please report it to UNHCR at 04726111 or send us an email at [email protected].

Beware of Fraudulent Schemes Leading to Abduction

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📣This message is shared though the UNHCR WhatsApp communication📣

Fraudsters pretending to work for UNHCR or its partners continue to contact refugees via social media platforms, promising resettlement and offering appointments to refugees.

Refugees have been abducted by these criminals and detained in remote border areas in return for ransoms. In several cases the detainees were only liberated after huge ransoms were paid by their families!

Protect yourself! Do not fall victims to these fraudsters and do not share any of your personal information!

Remember that UNHCR appointments take place in UNHCR registration centers only!

All services by UNHCR and its partner are ALWAYS free of charge!

If you have been a victim of fraud or you suspect fraud, please report it to UNHCR at 📞04726111 or send us an email at 📧[email protected].

Check out the fraud page of the UNHCR Help Lebanon website for more information.

Changes to Health Care Coverage for Persons Known to UNHCR in 2024

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📣This message is shared though the UNHCR WhatsApp communication📣

Due to reduced global funding, UNHCR will reduce the health care coverage for persons known to UNHCR in 2024. Limited funds will be prioritized for interventions that are likely to have the greatest impact for patients.

As of 1 January 2024, the following changes will be introduced:

  • Persons known to UNHCR in need of hospitalization care will pay the initial admission fee of 100 USD and 30% of the remaining hospital bill. For example, if the total bill for admission is USD 1,000, you will pay an initial 100 USD + 270 USD (30% of the remaining USD 900). This translates into the patient paying USD 370 and UNHCR paying USD 630 (70% of USD 900).
  • Some medical conditions which are not imminently life or limb threatening will be deprioritized.
  • Support for high-cost medical interventions will be reduced.
  • UNHCR will only provide health care coverage to individuals that seek treatment at UNHCR-contracted hospitals. Patients seeking services outside of the UNHCR network will not be covered, even under emergency situations. 

Please also note that UNHCR will continue to support child delivery care at 50 % of the total cost.

Contact NEXtCARE at 📞01504020:

  • If you need emergency health care and face difficulties being admitted to hospital,
  • To seek approval for UNHCR coverage of your hospital care,
  • To know which hospitals provide services that are supported by UNHCR,
  • If you have a refugee certificate or bar code but the hospital says your case is not covered by UNHCR,
  • For information on child delivery fees per hospital (we encourage you to first check here), or
  • To report an issue during your stay in hospital.

For more information on access to primary health care services and hospitalization, check the health page of the Help Lebanon website.

Remember all UNHCR and NEXtCARE services are ALWAYS free-of-charge. You are only required to pay contracted hospitals for your share of your hospital bill.

Effects of and Response to Exposure to White Phosphorus

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📣This message is shared though the UNHCR WhatsApp communication📣

Know the effects of exposure to white phosphorus and what to do in case of exposure. White phosphorus is a white/yellow waxy substance that smells like garlic. It is often used by armed forces in situations of conflict to illuminate battlefields or start fires. It ignites instantly when in contact with oxygen.

White phosphorus sticks to surfaces like skin and clothing and can cause deep and severe burns. When burning it causes dense, white and harmful smoke.

For more information on the effects of white phosphorous and how to provide immediate care for a person exposed to it, please refer to this leaflet produced by the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization. For urgent lifesaving services, call NEXtCARE on 📞01504020.

Beware of Fraudulent Cash Programs

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📣This message is shared though the UNHCR WhatsApp communication📣

Fraudsters pretending to be humanitarian workers are encouraging widowed women and others to contact them via social media, promising cash or other forms assistance in exchange for 10 USD.

These fraudsters are trying to deceive you for their own profit! Do not engage with them and do not share your personal information!

All services provided by UNHCR and its partners are always free of charge!

If you have been a victim of fraud or exploitation, or if you suspect fraud, please report it to UNHCR at 04726111 or send us an email at [email protected].

Update on Data Sharing

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📣This message is shared though the UNHCR WhatsApp communication📣

This is an update to the notice on data sharing that UNHCR sent you in August.

In August, UNHCR and the Government of Lebanon reached an agreement to share basic personal data in accordance with global data protection standards.

To implement the August agreement, UNHCR will now share with the General Directorate of General Security basic personal data of Syrian refugees known to UNHCR as part of a one-time transfer. Shared personal data will not include personal histories, such as the area of origin in Syria, contact information in Lebanon or other sensitive information. Under the agreement, the data will not be shared onward, including with the Government of Syria.

The Government of Lebanon has reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of non-refoulement and its obligations under international law.

We take this opportunity to remind you that when you first approached UNHCR, we informed you that your basic biodata data may need to be shared with other entities, including the Government of Lebanon. UNHCR already shares some data with the Government of Lebanon for the purposes of ensuring needed protection and assistance. The August agreement builds on the ongoing collaboration between UNHCR and the Government of Lebanon.

For questions, please feel free to contact the National Call Center at 📞04726111, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, or check the Help Lebanon website for general information.