Published : 30-03-2020
Data by the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) indicates that the majority of Palestinian refugees, particularly those fleeing war-torn Syria (PRS), continue to face dire conditions and high vulnerability in Lebanon.
According to information collected by UNRWA, more than 80 per cent of PRS indicate that the Agency’s cash assistance is their main source of income.
95 per cent of PRS are food insecure, while about 89 per cent of PRS live in poverty. 36 to 57 per cent of PRS youth face unemployment.
In August and September 2019, UNRWA conducted a verification exercise of PRS in Lebanon and verified the physical presence of 27,803 PRS in the country. The number of PRS in Lebanon has been gradually decreasing over the past two years, and UNRWA estimates that in 2020 the country will continue to host approximately 27,700 PRS (8,450 families).
According to a survey conducted by the American University of Beirut in 2015, nearly 90 percent of the PRS population in Lebanon live in poverty, including 9 per cent who are in extreme poverty and unable to meet even their most essential food requirements.
UNRWA said PRS’s vulnerability is further compounded by their precarious legal status. According to the Agency’s monitoring data, around 55 percent of PRS do not possess valid legal residency documents. The lack of a valid legal status, often coupled with outdated civil registration documents, results in severely restricted freedom of movement for some PRS in Lebanon due to fear of arrest, detention and being issued a departure order.
The self-restriction of movement puts a strain on PRS’ access to basic services, livelihoods and the formal labor market. In addition, a new policy implemented by the Ministry of Labor to limit informal and illegal labor by foreign workers has affected PRS and has resulted in the closure of several shops and businesses.
Data by the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) indicates that the majority of Palestinian refugees, particularly those fleeing war-torn Syria (PRS), continue to face dire conditions and high vulnerability in Lebanon.
According to information collected by UNRWA, more than 80 per cent of PRS indicate that the Agency’s cash assistance is their main source of income.
95 per cent of PRS are food insecure, while about 89 per cent of PRS live in poverty. 36 to 57 per cent of PRS youth face unemployment.
In August and September 2019, UNRWA conducted a verification exercise of PRS in Lebanon and verified the physical presence of 27,803 PRS in the country. The number of PRS in Lebanon has been gradually decreasing over the past two years, and UNRWA estimates that in 2020 the country will continue to host approximately 27,700 PRS (8,450 families).
According to a survey conducted by the American University of Beirut in 2015, nearly 90 percent of the PRS population in Lebanon live in poverty, including 9 per cent who are in extreme poverty and unable to meet even their most essential food requirements.
UNRWA said PRS’s vulnerability is further compounded by their precarious legal status. According to the Agency’s monitoring data, around 55 percent of PRS do not possess valid legal residency documents. The lack of a valid legal status, often coupled with outdated civil registration documents, results in severely restricted freedom of movement for some PRS in Lebanon due to fear of arrest, detention and being issued a departure order.
The self-restriction of movement puts a strain on PRS’ access to basic services, livelihoods and the formal labor market. In addition, a new policy implemented by the Ministry of Labor to limit informal and illegal labor by foreign workers has affected PRS and has resulted in the closure of several shops and businesses.
