UN Will Begin Cutting Cash Aid To Refugees In Lebanon

The United Nations is ready to lower money help to refugee households in Lebanon by almost one-third in 2024 because of a major funding shortfall.

UNHCR spokesperson, Lisa Abou Khaled, introduced that 88,000 fewer households will obtain month-to-month assist subsequent yr in comparison with 2023. Nonetheless, round 190,000 households will nonetheless get assist, with a cap of $125 per family month-to-month.

Beforehand, extra assist was supplied throughout winter for heating, however this will likely be discontinued. Lebanon, grappling with a monetary disaster since 2019, shelters roughly 790,000 registered Syrian refugees.

Notably, 90% of those refugees stay beneath the intense poverty line. The continuing Syrian civil struggle has resulted in important displacement and casualties. In the meantime, UNHCR’s Lebanon workplace has solely secured 36% of its annual funds this yr, resulting in workers and program reductions.

Earlier, the U.N. additionally minimize assist to Syrian refugees in Jordan because of funding points. Amidst Lebanon’s financial challenges, there have been requires the return of Syrians, with claims of security in Syria.

Nonetheless, human rights teams have reported situations of returning refugees going through detention and torture. Within the final yr, the Lebanese Military has deported a number of Syrians, together with registered refugees.

Associated: Lebanon’s Tourism Sector Down By Virtually 95% Due To Israel-Hamas Conflict