The living challenges facing Syrian Refugees in Lebanon are increasing, especially after stopping or reducing humanitarian aid provided by the UNHCR, in the middle of the worst social and economic crisis the country has witnessed in decades, under the pretext of limited funding;
knowing that we had sent a letter to Mr. Ayaki Ito, UNHCR representative in Lebanon, requesting a meeting to discuss how to support UNHCR's efforts, and what the Syrians' role is in this regard, but we did not receive any response.
The stopping of aid shows the fragility response of the emergency plans for crises that are in use.
Stopping humanitarian aid for some Syrian Refugees, or reducing it for others, is a wrong measure taken by UN agencies “Specifically following its ninth to Vulnerability Assessment of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon of the 2021” it constitutes a "moral and financial" burden for many Refugees, in light of the huge rise in the prices of food and basic services, for example, but not limited to: renting shelter and subscribing for electricity.
The ninth version for Vulnerability Assessment of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon of the 2021
In a statement issued by the United Nations agencies, it expressed its concern over the rapid deterioration in the living conditions of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon, in the middle of the country's worst social and economic crisis in decades. Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Struggle to Survive.
Survival has become out of reach for Syrian Refugees
According to Ayaki Ito, UNHCR representative in Lebanon: mere survival has become out of reach for Syrian refugee families. The crisis will have a long-term impact on Refugees’ well-being and the future of their children and is threatening past gains such as access to essential services.
The assessment dealt with the findings of the Syrian Refugees and their families, in numbers.
- 90% of Syrian Refugees are living in extreme poverty.
- 60% of Syrian Refugee families living in a dangerous, substandard, or overcrowded shelters.
- 49% of Syrian Refugee families were food insecure.
- 66% of the families had to limit food portion sizes or reduce the number of meals consumed per day.
❞we protecting rights and building a better future for Refugees
UNHCR
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"Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Struggle to Survive" This is how UN agencies described the rapid deterioration in the living conditions of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon, who are primarily the responsibility of the UNHCR, which is the "guardian" on the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Keeping the Syrian Refugees in this case, without serious solutions that guarantee them an adequate standard of living, warning us of many dangers due to the spread of poverty and ignorance in the Syrian Refugee communities. This contradicts with the vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
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The procedures followed are draining international support, without
improving conditions for Syrian Refugees.
Today, the international community must realize that the challenges and life difficulties facing the Syrian Refugees in Lebanon are different from previous years, according to the crises that have occurred in the country, and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic at the global level. The current challenges require a comprehensive change in the mechanism for responding to the Syrian Refugee crisis, and that the UNHCR, along with the relevant United Nations agencies, take more flexible and effective measures that would reach settlements regarding improving the conditions of Syrian Refugees, unlike previous years, without continuing to drain international support on routine and traditional procedures, such as: preparing monthly reports and statistics - changing the quality of humanitarian aid every few months - and so on. Instead; of working on a clear mechanism, unlike previous years, and activating the “emergency response” plan to save the lives of Refugees and lift them out of poverty and ignorance.
We request the UN agencies concerned with the situation of Syrian Refugees through:
- Mr. Ayman Gharaibeh | Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa
- Ms. Najat Rochdi | Deputy UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator
- Mr. Ayaki Ito | UNHCR Representative in Lebanon
- Put a clear mechanism of action in providing humanitarian aid to Syrian Refugees.
- Expand the number of beneficiaries of humanitarian aid
- Develop plans and programs to help Syrian Refugees live in stability and independence
