The Consequences of Limited Legal Status for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Publication language
English
Pages
30pp
Date published
12 Dec 2013
Type
Research, reports and studies
Keywords
International law, Forced displacement and migration
Countries
Lebanon
Organisations
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
Link
http://www.nrc.no/arch/_img/9687105.pdf
According to Lebanese national law, without the required entry or stay documentation to 
be in Lebanon, refugees from Syria are considered to be ‘illegally’ present, giving them 
limited legal status in Lebanon. Having such limited legal status in Lebanon often has a 
negative impact on the lives of refugees. 
 
Between June and October 2013, NRC conducted a qualitative assessment to identify 
and better understand the consequences of having limited legal status for Syrian 
refugees in Lebanon. The assessment focused on two geographical areas where there 
are high numbers of refugees with limited legal status: (1) Wadi Khaled, in the Akkar 
region of northern Lebanon; and (2) Aarsal, in the northern Bekaa, eastern Lebanon. 
The research methodology used by NRC included in-depth semi-structured interviews 
and focus group discussions comprised of refugees with limited legal status living in 
these areas, as well as interviews with service providers and local authorities. Peer 
review workshops with field-based humanitarian protection actors were conducted in 
both locations and have informed the recommendations of this report.