1 October 2013: The Syria crisis has caused a major humanitarian emergency as millions of Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries. Some 731,000 Syrian refugees have sought shelter in Lebanon in 2013. They join more than 45,000 Palestinians and another 20,000 Lebanese returnees who had lived in Syria before the crisis began more than two years ago.
The large influx of refugees and returnees has increased Lebanon’s population by 25 per cent, significantly straining the Lebanese economy and existing services, including health and education. To address the escalating humanitarian crisis, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has provided a rapid response grant of US$15,519,380 to six UN agencies and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The allocations are expected to benefit 150,000 people.
For more information, please go to Lebanon's country page.