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Winter hardship for Palestine refugees from Syria in Lebanon

09 December 2016

Winter storms have swept across Jordan, Lebanon and Syria in the past weeks, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and cold temperatures to tens of thousands of refugees living in camps and makeshift shelters across the region. In Lebanon, there are over 31,500 Palestine refugees from Syria (PRS) who have escaped the war, including around 8,000 of them living in the mountainous Beqaa Valley.

UNRWA provides winterization support to all PRS through the form of cash assistance. Cash is both dignified and convenient – it helps Palestine refugees prioritize their needs according to where they live. In the mountainous regions, where temperatures are colder than at sea level, the Agency gives a one-off payment of US$ 588 to each family. Families living below 500 metres receive US$ 400 to cover the coldest months of the year. 

This assistance helps PRS get by, but with over 94 per cent of the population food insecure, poverty, debt, and unemployment are hard to overcome. UNRWA suppport is therefore vital and PRS depend heavily on it, particularly on cash assistance and the provision of health care and education.

Winter places an extra burden on Palestine refugee families from Syria in Lebanon, who often live in poor accommodation. Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Christien van den BrinkThe conflict in Syria has forced thousands of Palestine refugees to flee to Lebanon in search of safety; however, the living conditions can be harsh, especially in the winter. “Last night, we were sleeping in the living room. When it started raining, water leaked from the roof, soaking the floor,” explains Raya Awada, standing in her makeshift shelter where she lives with four family members. Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Christien van den BrinkPRS families are vulnerable as a result of long-term displacement, lack of legal status and limited access to employment opportunities. Beqaa Valley, Lebanon © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Christien van den Brink “Back in Syria, I used to work in construction. But there are no jobs for us here,” says Mohammad al-Assadi, who fled to Lebanon in 2013, together with his wife and 14-year-old son. Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Christien van den Brink“Winter is really hard here,” says Ma’moun. “We need assistance, fuel, blankets, clothes and jackets. I don’t want my children to get sick because of the cold.” Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Christien van den BrinkHadi Ma’moun Mersal lives with five members of his family in a single room. “We use our blankets and clothes to keep warm. But it is not enough,” explains his father. Beqaa Valley, Lebanon © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Christien van den BrinkUNRWA continues to support PRS through cash assistance, education and health services. By mid-December, PRS will have received winterization cash subsidies. Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Christien van den Brink

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