Lebanese Democratic Party leader Prince Talal Arslan held a comprehensive meeting at his residence in Khaldeh, bringing together Aley District Commissioner Badr Zeidan Al-Aridi, heads of municipal unions and municipalities in the district, along with representatives of major political parties, including Amal Movement, Free Patriotic Movement, Kataeb Party, Syrian Social Nationalist Party, Future Movement, Progressive Socialist Party, and the Lebanese Democratic Party. The meeting focused on the current situation in the country, the issue of displaced families, and ways to meet their health, social, relief, and food needs.
During the meeting, detailed figures on the displacement situation in Aley District were presented. The number of displaced persons has reached approximately 12,324 individuals distributed across 58 shelters, representing around 3,160 families, with an average of about 212 individuals per shelter. In addition, 71,353 displaced persons are residing in rented apartments, reflecting the significant pressure on infrastructure and public services. It was confirmed that a substantial portion of essential needs has been secured, including mattresses and pillows matching the number of displaced individuals, more than 21,000 blankets, food parcels and hygiene kits for families, as well as the daily provision of drinking water and hot meals, in addition to supplying diesel fuel to operate the shelters.
On the other hand, the presentation highlighted critical shortages that still require urgent attention, most notably the deficit in diesel fuel needed for heating and operating vital facilities, as well as a clear shortage of heaters compared to the number of families, placing thousands of displaced people at serious risk amid fluctuating weather conditions. The need to ensure the continuous provision of food and water was also emphasized, as current supplies cover only short periods and require sustained support.
Arslan stressed the importance of intensifying coordination between municipalities, official institutions, political parties, and relevant organizations to ensure fair and effective distribution of aid, prioritizing the most densely populated areas and addressing existing gaps, particularly in energy and heating, in order to guarantee a minimum level of humanitarian resilience during this critical phase.
He also commended the efforts of Mount Lebanon Governor Judge Mohammad Makawi, Aley District Commissioner Badr Zeidan Al-Aridi, as well as municipal councils and mukhtars, for their role in managing this humanitarian and national file.
He further emphasized the need to support municipalities and enable them to carry out their role amid exceptional burdens, calling on the concerned authorities to release municipal dues from the Independent Municipal Fund without delay.
Arslan underscored that these funds are a rightful entitlement of municipalities—not a favor from any party—and are essential for sustaining services and ensuring the minimum conditions for resilience during this sensitive period.
The meeting was attended, in addition to the district commissioner, heads of municipal unions and municipalities, by representatives of the Progressive Socialist Party, including Interior Commissioner Youssef Daibes and regional coordinators; from the Kataeb Party, Aley District Head Teodora Bajani and displacement officer Beshara Bajani; from the Free Patriotic Movement, Aley coordinator Arlette Matta; from Amal Movement, Mount Lebanon official Dr. Imad Ghamloush; from the Future Movement, South Mount Lebanon–Aley coordinator Walid Sarhal; from the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, West Aley official Wael Malaeb; and from the Lebanese Democratic Party, Political Council members former Minister Saleh Al-Gharib and Louay Jaber, along with district officials and coordinators across Aley, Jurd, Gharb, and Choueifat.
