Refugees – busting the myths
During Refugee Week (16-23rd June), we thought we’d take the opportunity to explore, and try to correct, the most common myths about refugees.
Lebanon – the small country home to a million refugees
The tented encampment which is home to *Mohamad and his family.
Concern Worldwide is working in northern Lebanon, in response to the massive influx of refugees into the country, fleeing conflict in Syria.
Lebanon currently has the second largest population of Syrian refugees in the region, (Turkey has 3.6 million), and the highest per capita population of refugees in the world. There are currently just under one million refugees formally registered with UNHCR in Lebanon.
Those who manage to reach safety in Lebanon have a huge range of needs – first and foremost they are in need of safety, food and healthcare, but they also need documentation, education for their children, and a means to earn a living too. People are often traumatised, having witnessed family members being killed and enduring long and dangerous journeys to get to Lebanon. Both adults and children are often in need of psychosocial support.
A roof over their head
Syrian refugees lean out of the balcony of the home in Northern Lebanon.
Most Syrian refugees in Lebanon live in residential buildings which are overcrowded and in poor condition. Lebanon experiences sweltering hot summers, but in winter, temperatures are often below zero. Many refugees are forced to live in buildings without proper insulation, without doors or windows, and without adequate protection from the harsh sun during summer. And as most Syrian refugees don’t have an income, they are unable to pay rent.
In response to this, Concern has worked to negotiate rent-free, rent-freeze and rent reduction agreements with landlords for Syrian tenants for periods of one year and longer, in exchange for support to rehabilitate their properties and make them habitable. Concern have also provided weatherproofing and insulation kits and provided mobility aid kits for elderly and disabled refugees. Our work in emergency shelter support has reached 21,950 people so far. In addition, we also ensure refugees living in temporary Informal Tented Settlements (ITS) are provided with clean water and sanitation facilities, which helps to keep people healthy and decreases the risk of disease.
A way to make a living
Most people want to be able to look after themselves, make a living, and pay their own way, and the Syrian refugees in Lebanon are no different. However, it is extremely difficult for refugees to get any paid work and access to the labour market is hugely restricted as a result of residency regulations put in place for Syrians in January 2015. Up to 80% of Syrian refugees currently lack valid residence permits (legal status) in Lebanon.
Concern has been supporting people to grow their own food and providing them with gardening kits and training to work as farm labourers in the host community. We are also providing business training, support to small businesses and income generation. This also benefits the host communities and the local cooperatives.
Mother of three Khadija* is a Syrian refugee living in Northern Lebanon.
*Khadija, who arrived in Lebanon in 2013, was helped by Concern to work at a local cooperative, where she learned how to make different types of cheese which are sold locally. And *Maria, who when she arrived in Lebanon, says, “financially we were at zero,” signed up for a cash for work scheme organised by Concern Worldwide Livelihood team. *Maria gained carpentry skills and learned how to make a chicken coop. As well as having steady supply of eggs, if anything in her tent breaks, she now has the skills to fix it herself.
Khadija* learned to make cheese at a dairy co-op. Photo: Jason Kennedy / Concern Worldwide.
Syrian women receive training at a dairy co-op in Lebanon. Photo: Jason Kennedy/Concern Worldwide.
Concern also works to support refugees to develop positive coping strategies, prevent gender-based violence, undertakes child protection and provides psychosocial support.
How you can help
As well as working with refugees in Lebanon, Concern works with displaced people within Syria, and with Syrian refugees in Turkey. We also work with refugees and displaced people in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bangladesh.
During Refugee Week we want to raise awareness of some of the challenges faced by refugees across the world, and show them we are with them, not against them.
None of our work would be possible without the help of our supporters.
