Working environment
The impact of the Syrian crisis – including on the economy, demographics, political instability, and security – continues to deepen across Lebanon. With more than 1.3 million refugees expected by the beginning of 2015, Lebanon’s exceptional hospitality will be extremely stretched.
The Government has established an inter-ministerial crisis cell, confirming its pro-active engagement in refugee issues. While the country is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and despite restrictions imposed at the border, it is expected that Syrians in need of immediate protection and assistance will continue to find safe haven in Lebanon.
Refugees have access to most basic services through public institutions, where the authorities continue to play an active role in facilitating response coordination and planning.
Syrian refugees, like the Lebanese in local communities most affected by the influx, are becoming increasingly vulnerable, despite the large-scale inter-agency response to date. Humanitarian needs show little signs of abating. As their displacement extends and their savings deplete, refugees’ socioeconomic vulnerability increases.
An effective display of international solidarity and support is vital for Lebanon, which has received the highest number of Syrian refugees in the world. Failing this, the country’s capacity to respond and withstand the Syria crisis will be severely tested.
Needs and strategies
UNHCR’s overarching strategy in Lebanon remains to protect, assist and facilitate solutions for refugees and other people of concern, through close partnership with the Government, the judiciary, the UN Country Team, donors, NGOs and partners, and the refugees themselves.
UNHCR will focus its activities on: the overall coordination of the Syrian refugee crisis; registration; protection monitoring and outreach activities; resettlement and humanitarian admission; provision of cash grants, shelter and access to health and education. Moreover, together with partners, the Office will support host communities and authorities to mitigate the direct impact of the presence of the refugees in order to ensure a more favourable protection environment. UNHCR will support the Government in improving central and local actors’ ability to provide refugees with basic services, as well as to prevent statelessness in Lebanon. Finding solutions outside of Lebanon for the most vulnerable refugees will remain a priority.