WORKING ON 'THE EDGE' IN LEBANON
REFUGEE CRISIS IN LEBANON
Half the Syrian population remains displaced over a decade into the Syrian crisis. UNHCR statistics show there are 5.6 million registered refugees in the region, with children making up half of these numbers.
Lebanon remains the country with the largest number of refugees per capita, hosting an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees. With a population of just 4 million themselves, and dealing with a political and economic crisis, along with the pandemic; the Lebanese have the highest per capita concentration of refugees in the world, and have been struggling to accommodate this flood of arrivals.
Despite the large refugee population, the last few years have seen a decrease in funding for refugees and a controversial policy by the country’s General Security to push refugees to return to Syria.
An estimated 180,000 Syrian children are having to work to support their families rather than attend school and fewer than half of the 631,000 school-age refugee children in Lebanon have access to quality formal education. Those who can access the mainstream system are often subject to discrimination, abuse, language barriers and unsafe journeys to and from school.
Around a third of refugees (around 360,000) are located in the Bekaa Valley, often living in small makeshift or unofficial camps. Large camps are not permitted by the Lebanese government and as a result, informal settlements of 50-100 families have become commonplace. Across the country, refugees in the Bekaa Valley (and Akkar) face the most poverty, with parents often forced to take their children out of school and into full time work to earn a living. Many of the camps are still without basic services for children, including education.
Lebanon remains the country with the largest number of refugees per capita, hosting an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees. With a population of just 4 million themselves, and dealing with a political and economic crisis, along with the pandemic; the Lebanese have the highest per capita concentration of refugees in the world, and have been struggling to accommodate this flood of arrivals.
Despite the large refugee population, the last few years have seen a decrease in funding for refugees and a controversial policy by the country’s General Security to push refugees to return to Syria.
An estimated 180,000 Syrian children are having to work to support their families rather than attend school and fewer than half of the 631,000 school-age refugee children in Lebanon have access to quality formal education. Those who can access the mainstream system are often subject to discrimination, abuse, language barriers and unsafe journeys to and from school.
Around a third of refugees (around 360,000) are located in the Bekaa Valley, often living in small makeshift or unofficial camps. Large camps are not permitted by the Lebanese government and as a result, informal settlements of 50-100 families have become commonplace. Across the country, refugees in the Bekaa Valley (and Akkar) face the most poverty, with parents often forced to take their children out of school and into full time work to earn a living. Many of the camps are still without basic services for children, including education.
The informal camps in Bekaa Valley are home to around 360,000 Syrian refugees
The Lebanese Government has been working with the UN to provide education for all. The main policy has been to enrol refugees into the existing public education system, creating a 2nd shift provision for refugees and encouraging integration.
This has not been without its problems. In many areas, refugees vastly outnumber the Lebanese students and there is not the capacity to provide for everyone who needs it. Within the rural Bekaa Valley, public schools are sporadically placed, meaning that access is difficult, and it is estimated that there are more than 250,000 refugee children out of school.
There have also been reports of safety issues, harassment, violence and discrimination, which has led to a high dropout rate. Refugee children that do continue to attend struggle with the new and different curricula, language barriers and lack of appropriate infrastructure. There is low teacher capacity, overcrowding, lack of adequate sanitation facilities and limited catch up programmes.
ECONOMIC TURMOIL
Lebanon has faced years of discontent and protests against economic turmoil, corruption and mismanagement in the government. Currently over 50% of Lebanese citizens are living in poverty and the large refugee and migrant worker populations have been hit the hardest.
Since 2019, the Lebanese pound has lost 90 percent of its value, and annual inflation in 2020 was 84.9 percent. According to government statistics, the price of consumer goods has nearly quadrupled in the past two years. With the economy collapsing, the country is now facing shortages of food, fuel and medicine.
The Lebanese government resigned last summer amidst public anger after the devastating Port explosion on August 4th 2020 that killed 200 people and injured thousands more.
All of these factors, faced by refugee children who are also coming to terms with their own trauma and distress, are continuing to create barriers to education. Consequently there is a need for provision of informal education for children living within the refugee camps.
Since 2019, the Lebanese pound has lost 90 percent of its value, and annual inflation in 2020 was 84.9 percent. According to government statistics, the price of consumer goods has nearly quadrupled in the past two years. With the economy collapsing, the country is now facing shortages of food, fuel and medicine.
The Lebanese government resigned last summer amidst public anger after the devastating Port explosion on August 4th 2020 that killed 200 people and injured thousands more.
All of these factors, faced by refugee children who are also coming to terms with their own trauma and distress, are continuing to create barriers to education. Consequently there is a need for provision of informal education for children living within the refugee camps.
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Children on the Edge has been supporting education for 300 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon since 2015. Initially based in four tent schools, but now in one central building in Zahle, we provide safe, fun classrooms, vocational and IT courses and a large outdoor playspace. 
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Our work in Lebanon is kindly funded by the Players of People's Postcode Lottery.
YOU MIGHT LIKE
SYRIAN REFUGEES TELL US WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT SCHOOL.
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MEET HODA WHO ATTENDS THE SCHOOL WE SUPPORT IN ZAHLE.
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READ AN UPDATE FROM OUR PARTNERS ABOUT THE CRISIS IN LEBANON.
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