Lebanon

Map of Lebanon (© bpb)

According to its population, Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees worldwide. Apart from 1.1 million Syrians, who fled to Lebanon since the beginning of the Syrian Civil War in spring 2011, already for decades hundreds of thousands Palestine refugees live in the little country in the eastern Mediterranean. Lebanon guarantees protection to these refugees, although it did not sign the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. As Lebanon disposes of no specific domestic refugee legislation or administrative regulations, mainly the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) take care of the refugee population. Since the political divide of the state into two rival camps in 2006, the political institutions of Lebanon barely have power to act. Therefore, they are hardly able to respond to the challenges, which Lebanon has to face because of the conflict in the neighboring country Syria.

Lebanon – History and Politics

Lebanon’s history and politics have been shaped by inner-state conflicts, often further stirred by the strategic interests of external actors. Since 2006 the country has been divided into two rivaling political camps. Political institutions have hardly been able to act since then. The armed conflict in neighboring Syria has contributed to a worsening of the situation.

Regulations and Policies on Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Lebanon is neither a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees nor to its 1967 Protocol. Moreover, it neither has a specific legislation nor administrative articles in place to manage a refugee influx.

Refugee Crisis in Lebanon 2013-2016 and the Role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

In 2016, Lebanon hosts more than one million Syrian refugees, representing 25 percent of the population. This is the world’s highest number of refugees per inhabitant. The Syrian conflict is now entering its sixth year and humanitarian operations in Lebanon are transitioning from ‘emergency’ to ‘protracted’ crisis interventions. This report argues for the continuation of support to Lebanon to maintain peace, security and stability; support is required from the international community to cover humanitarian needs for the most vulnerable populations in Lebanon, particularly Syrians refugees.

Second class refugees: Palestinians in Lebanon

There are over 450,000 Palestinians in Lebanon over half of whom live in camps. The legal status and living conditions for Palestinians are difficult. Some of the 50,000 Palestinians refugees from Syria who fled the conflict, have sought refuge in the refugee camps in Lebanon, increasing the pressure on space and infrastructure.