Some 37% of non-Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR have reported having specific needs. The most frequently reported specific needs are serious medical conditions (14.8%), child at risk (9.5%), specific legal and physical protection needs (9.4%), disability (4.5%), GBV (4.6%), survivor of torture (3.3%), single parent (2%) and woman at risk (1.8%).
Despite the needs, most refugees are unable to access specialised services due to the limited availability of free or subsidised services and the inability to afford private services. Beyond access to specialised care, regular consultations conducted with refugees showed that Persons with Specific Needs (PWSN) and their caregivers face challenges to meet basic needs, such as food, medication and decent shelter. The need for mobile social and medical specialized assessment for persons with disabilities was highlighted by refugees with limited mobility and/or unable to afford transportation costs. PWSN requested support in building their capacity and skills and matching them with suitable job opportunities. Additionally, they expressed difficulty in accessing services provided at community development centres (CDCs), such as social events, recreational and learning activities. Lack of education programs that foster inclusiveness of children with physical and intellectual disability in schools remains dominant.
In 2020, refugees reported that female-heads of households faced difficulties meeting their basic needs and regular harassment often by landlords, neighbours and employers. LGBTI refugees reported similar challenges, in securing housing, meeting basic needs and finding job opportunities. Furthermore, LGBTI refugees face isolation from the community which leaves them vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Due to capacity limitations, financial constraints, and external restrictions, service providers cannot always meet all the specific protection needs of LGBTI refugees.
In 2021, PWSN will be identified at UNHCR’s Reception Centres and through case managers, front liners, outreach volunteers, community groups, and referred to quality case management, including specialized services, and cash-based assistance programmes.
Interventions with targeted groups will be reinforced and capacity building of humanitarian actors will continue to improve the identification and response. Persons with specific needs and their families will be provided with case management services and PSS.
Life-skills, skills-training, awareness sessions, psychosocial support activities, and on-the-job training will also be provided to improve the skills and capacities of refugees. UNHCR will continue to support the specialized local organization working with the LGBTI community to continue providing services for refugees. Protection cash assistance and emergency cash will remain essential to support case management for PWSN for whom cash assistance is necessary to address their protection needs.
UNHCR partners will prioritize medium to high risk cases of persons with specific needs (with a special focus on older persons, persons with disabilities – including those with disabilities that resulted from the Beirut Blast, female heads of households and other vulnerable groups), and coordination of service provision by multiple service providers. Remote case management will be provided to medium risk cases, so long as the COVID-19 situation and the safety measures persist. Case management should be provided in-person to urgent and high-risk cases, while taking all precautionary measures possible.