UNHCR estimates that as many as 10% of Syrian refugees have resettlement needs. UNHCR continues to prioritize the most vulnerable and at risk refugees, including persons with serious protection concerns in Lebanon such as women and girls at risk, LGBTI refugees, children and adolescents at risk, survivors of violence and torture, people at risk of violence and exploitation and persons with serious medical conditions whose medical needs cannot be adequately addressed in Lebanon. UNHCR had initially planned to submit more than 15,000 Syrians (3,334 cases) for resettlement consideration in 2018, but this target was reduced during the year in light of fewer pledges from resettlement countries. By year-end, 7,808 Syrian refugees (1,623 family cases) were submitted for resettlement and other humanitarian admission programs to 16 different resettlement countries. UNHCR was also actively involved in the training of emerging resettlement countries with the aim of enhancing their resettlement activities.
In light of diminishing resettlement places, the operation was actively engaged in seeking solutions for Syrians through other complementary pathways, such as scholarships as well as by implementing of a pilot family reunification project. Counselling on eligibility criteria and required documentation was provided for 322 cases on different family reunification programmes in several countries.