Lebanon: Looking ahead in times of crisis

Since the outbreak of the crisis in Syria in March 2011, Lebanon has felt the impact politically, socially and economically. Four-and-a-half years into the crisis and with an all-out war on its doorstep, the country is experiencing ever greater repercussions. Lebanon now hosts the highest number of refugees per capita in the world, with one in five inhabitants a refugee. This paper draws on Oxfam research among refugees and host communities in Lebanon in 2015 and aims to contribute to a discussion of both interim and longer term solutions to address protection issues, living conditions, access to services and reduced aid dependency for refugees; along with stronger social protection, access to services and greater employment opportunities for poor and vulnerable Lebanese.