UNHCR Lebanon statement on the situation of Syrian refugees

UNCHR is deeply distraught by the death of a Syrian refugee man who took his own life in the Bekaa on Sunday 5 April. We stand with his family and loved ones and will accompany them as much as possible during this difficult time.

The situation of refugees - already hardly hit by the economic crisis Lebanon is suffering from - has been further aggravated by the COVID-19 related confinement. The situation is having a severe impact on refugees’ access to livelihoods, morale, and ability to meet their basic survival needs like rent, food, and medicine, as it is for vulnerable Lebanese communities.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, UNHCR teams have been working around the clock to provide the necessary support for refugees and to contain the spread of the virus. We are working closely with our humanitarian partners to expand financial assistance to the most affected refugee and Lebanese communities during this exceptionally difficult period, and are coordinating closely with our donors to secure the urgently needed funds that will enable us to deliver this lifeline.

At a time when the world is coming together in the fight against COVID-19 and its economic repercussions, it is essential to ensure that vulnerable communities - including refugees - receive the necessary support, material and psycho-social. UNHCR has strengthened its call centre and hotline capacity to ensure that we are as present as possible to respond to the needs and queries of refugees, and to provide counseling.