Refugee Crisis
Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita, with the Government estimation of 1.5 million Syrian refugees. That is 20% of their population! By comparison, the US has approximately 1% of refugees per capita. Over 90% of the refugees in Lebanon are living in extreme poverty, and none of the children have a right to attend Lebanese schools. They live in tent and tarp villages across the country and depend on the humanitarian aid from the UN Refugee Agency. The degradation of the economic situation in Lebanon and the diversion of humanitarian resources to other critical areas of need in the world put these refugees even more at risk. Without an education, without “light and hope,” the refugee children will have no viable future in Lebanon or their home country.
Many Lebanese are becoming frustrated with the presence of refugees from neighboring countries, particularly since the economic collapse of the country in 2019. Some refugees have been injured and encampments destroyed.