WASHINGTON, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that is aimed to provide additional funds to help Americans fleeing Lebanon get lodging, medical care and transportation once they arrive home.

    According to the bill, namely the Returned Americans Protection Act of 2006, some four million U.S. dollars will be poured into a federal program for aiding Americans who return to their homeland from Lebanon.

    The number of returnees is estimated between 8,000 to 15,000.

    The program's existing financial pool of one million U.S. dollars will be used up this week.

    The new funds will cover hotel costs, airfare and other expenses of the returned Americans.

    U.S. authorities have set up repatriation centers in airports of Baltimore and Philadelphia to assist Americans returning from Lebanon.

    Medical professionals and communication equipment are available in the centers. Enditem