Help Strengthen the Resilience of Syrian Refugees

Dear Supporters, 

I've just received a note from our videographer, Kieran McConville, and Concern Worldwide's CEO Dominic MacSorley. They were both just in Lebanon and have shared with us an update on the enormity of the Syrian refugee crisis. Here's a message from Dominic and a video from Kieran. Again, we thank you for your ongoing support- without you our work would not be possible! 

Message from Concern Worldwide's CEO, Dominic MacSorley:

I am sending you a short video from my recent visit to Lebanon. It was an excellent but sobering visit.  The bomb blasts in Beirut, followed by the tragedy in Paris were a horrific reminder of the instability that this crisis has brought to the region and beyond.
 

A few key messages from our visit:

• Almost 5 years in to the crisis the situation for the 1.2 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon is getting worse. The most recent vulnerability survey shows that refugees are 20% more impoverished than they were this time last year.
• Humanitarian funding has improved however the $2.14 billion required for Lebanon is still only 50% funded. Increasing rent, a drop in WFP food rations (from $27 month to $13 in February, now back to $21) are contributing factors to growing vulnerability.
• No Syrian refugees are authorized to work, creating over dependence on a limited aid package.
• Families are turning to negative coping mechanisms, getting deeper into debt, cutting back meals, child labour is increasing and the unspoken but increasing practice of ‘survival sex’ is evident. (One young girl we met said that back in Syria she wanted to be a teacher or a doctor - now her aim is to get married as soon as possible so she can support her mother. She is 15 years old).
• Going to Europe is far outside the ambition of the people we met. They have neither the intention nor the capacity.  They want to go home and until such times they want to be able to work and support themselves.
• People haven’t given up hope but there is growing desperation. Winter is approaching.
• Concern is reaching over 140,000 refugees in over 155 sites in Northern Lebanon through water, sanitation, education, livelihoods and protection programs.

Best,
Dominic 

Links:

• Video from Lebanon