UNHCR+-+LEBANON

Name: Gabby Kopf Country: Lebanon Committee: UNHCR High School: Arundel High School Date: 1/25/14

=Syrian Refugee Conflict=

Lebanon is one of a few countries hit especially hard by the Syrian Refugee Conflict. With a total of 849,565 registered and 1,000,000 government estimated Syrian's seeking refuge, it has been quite the challenge trying to provide even the most basic human necessities. Lebanon alone can not afford the mass number of refugees. As of now the social and economic consequences of Syria's civil war have cause unrest with the Lebanese people, causing unhealthy tensions within its own borders. However efforts by the UNHCR, Lebanese NGO's, and average citizens have been extremely helpful in refugee aid. The Lebanese government has worked with UNHCR in trying to coordinate programs for these refugees.Though they have been avoiding building permanent refugee camps for fear of insulting the Assad Regime, it would be a very good idea to prevent very crucial problems in Lebanon's future.

Beginning in early 2011 a wave of opposition to the current Syrian Assad regime has resulted in mass causalities and the largest number of refugees in 20 years. Though at first the civil disobedience began with small anti-government protests, it has evolved into a violent civil war, with extreme tactics not limited to the use of deadly chemical weapons. The conflict in Syria is very complicated due, in part, to the number of parties fighting against the Assad regime. The Free Syrian Army, Syrian National council, and National Coordination committee all have different motives and agendas for the outcome of the civil war. This makes foreign intervention a complicated matter as well, for fear of supporting dangerous or extremist groups that would further inhibit stability within the region. Lebanon is located on the western border of Syria, and currently hosts the largest percentage of Syrian Refugees. With nearly 1,000,000 government estimated Syrians seeking asylum. The majority of which being located in the North western parts of the country.

Tensions from Syria have made there way to Lebanon, and have caused a Pro/ Anti Assad Regime split among the Lebanese people. Like Syria many political decisions in Lebanon are largely influenced by religion. The majority of Lebanese Sunnis are in favor of the Syrian rebels. While the Shia have decided to support a similar Alawite Assad Regime. This tension has not only caused violence in Lebanon but has created a a complicated spectrum of attitudes toward Syrian refugees. The Lebanese government have decided that it's in our best interest to not create permanent refugee camps or legislation that would hinder our relations with the Assad regime and are fearful that by creating permanent camps the refugees will be more inclined to stay in Lebanon. That being said, the Lebanese government will continue to offer asylum to as many Syrian refugees as we can manage. UNHCR efforts to aid Syrians, will not be met with intolerance, along with the citizens who wish to host and aid refugees, and Lebanese NGOs who have graciously contributed large donations to provide basic human needs for refugees. Lebanon simply does not have the means alone to provide for such large quantities of people, and can not risk the domestic consequences of altercations with the Syrian government at this time.

Though this situation is complex, there are a few possible solutions that may have everyone best interest in mind. First, its essential that foreign and private funding continues in order to provide basic human needs like food, clean water, mattresses, and health equipment for refugees throughout the middle east. Countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt can not support these vast quantities of people on their own. Though the Lebanese have decided against creating permanent refugee camps, It would be smart to create camps in an effort to prevent serious issues with in Lebanon in the future. Nomadic clusters of poor unhealthy Syrian have already created various negative effects on Lebanon. Poor sanitation, morality, theft, and cultural disputes have already began in Lebanon and will continue to plague the areas heavily populated with refugees. By creating camps you can keep track of such issues. In theory creating communities within camps could be very beneficial for Lebanon. Creating schools, jobs, shelter, and support for these refugees will make transition into everyday life much easier. The reality is many of these refugees plan on staying in Lebanon for a while. So a population of uneducated, poor, unhealthy people would be a huge burden on the Lebanese government. When the refugees are ready to move back, they wont go into shock readjusting to the real world. Which will help stabilize Syria and the region. Also providing government subsidies on private domestic organizations who are willing to fund Refugee camps.

Hearing what others have to say on this refugee crises will hopefully give the Lebanese government innovative solutions to a crises so influential in their own home. Working with other countries to create solutions will be crucial in obtaining stability within the region as a whole. When necessary but unfortunate events like these occur, its important to unite, and create smart solutions for the greater good of the world.

=Building and Maintaining Effective Protection and Asylum Systems=

The main focus of Refugee attention currently in Lebanon is on the Syrian Civil War. With an estimated 1,000,000 refugees its difficult for one country to set up the necessary camps. Lebanon has no official Refugee camps for Syrians nor Palestinians, but allows for the UNHCR to set up camps with in its borders. The UNHCR works closely with the Ministry of social affairs in Lebanon to help them work within their country. Currently the UNRWA has 12 camps, two vocational and technical training centers, 27 primary health centers, and nine woman's program centers for Palestinians currently in Lebanon. While `the UNHCR has 12 sectoral working groups in Lebanon solely focused on the extreme amount of Syrian refugees. These working groups focus on a wide variety of issues from child protection, distribution of supplies, education, food security, health, information management, WASH, shelter, and support for host communities.

Though the Lebanese only have a few government agencies working on refugee affairs, they rely on private companies and UN committees to help them with such a huge part of their country. Lebanon's location plays a huge factor in why refugees are such a huge part of their country. Israel to the north and Syria to the West make Lebanon a prime location for refugee-seekers to find asylum. Unfortunately refugees have cause a variety of problems for Lebanon, and so relations between the Lebanese and Refugees aren't very strong. The country often fears these masses of refugees will decide to make permanent residence in Lebanon and typically resist the idea of permanent camps,especially for Syrians.

The Lebanese should really look into forming partnerships with nations who are willing to fund aid, and possibly provide third country residency for Syrian refugees. Creating a program in which they create camps for the Syrian refugees in order to meet basic Necessities and provide time and assistance to find available third country residencies for the refugees, 1 year visas will be given out to find their new homes. Those who do not wish to leave Lebanon or Syria can apply for citizenship or relocate to other UNHCR camps until the conflict in their homeland is resolved.

I look forward to hear the measures other countries are taking to provide effective asylums for their refugees, and hope to find potential partners in which third country residencies will be provided.

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