UNHCR continued its advocacy with the Government regarding the importance of resuming registration for Syrian nationals, suspended since May 2015. At the current time, only newborn babies to registered Syrian refugees can be added. The Government estimates that it currently hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees, a figure also reflected in the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan.
The number of Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Lebanon continues gradually to decrease due to inactivations following departures (resettlement and small numbers of returns to Syria), as well as deaths. At the end of 2021, some 841,000 Syrian refugees and asylum seekers were actively registered with UNHCR in Lebanon. This represents a decrease of some 25,000 (2.8%) actively registered Syrians since the end of 2020. Based on the most recent trends in 2020 and 2021, it is projected that the total population of registered Syrian refugees will stand around 780,000 individuals by the end of 2022.
UNHCR continues to update the data of Syrians registered prior to 2015 and register children born in Lebanon to registered Syrian refugees, jointly with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). Syrians approaching UNHCR for protection who cannot be registered are counselled on the Government’s instruction to suspend registration. Some 55% of the total Syrian registered population are children, with 13% under the age of five. Some 31% have been identified as having a specific need. The most common specific needs identified are serious medical condition, children at risk and disabilities. With regards to the geographical spread of the Syrian population in the country, a relative status quo is observed over the four regions: Beirut and Mount Lebanon (22%), North (33%), Bekaa (36%) and South (9%).
The number of refugees and asylum seekers from countries other than Syria who are registered with UNHCR was around 14,000 individuals by the end of 2021, which reflects a decrease of 14% compared to the end of 2020, or some 2,200 individuals. Around 80% of this population group reside in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The demographics of this group is also different from the Syrian population. Some 29% of the total registered population are children, with 7% under the age of five. Some 38% have been identified as having a specific need. The most common specific needs identified are serious medical conditions, specific legal and physical protection needs, and children at risk. Iraqis continue to make up the largest percentage (66%) of the total population of concern from countries other than Syria, followed by Sudanese (16%) and Ethiopians (7%). Based on the most recent trends in 2020 and 2021, it is projected that the total population for non-Syrians will stand at some 12,000 individuals by the end of 2022.