April 13, 2023
Doctors of the World warns of the humanitarian needs of thousands of migrants abandoned in the desert in Assamaka (Niger)
More than 1.5 million Syrian refugees who have fled civil war reside in Lebanon
The Syrian civil war has produced millions of refugees, more than 1 million of whom are currently seeking safety in Lebanon
Today, there are over 360,000 Syrians residing in the Bekaa refugee camp in northern Lebanon – 8 kilometers from the Syrian border. Doctors of the World has been active in Lebanon since 1990, so we immediately began responding to the needs of Syrian refugees.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon often do not have a valid residency permit and limited access to finances, making it difficult for them to find jobs and to access healthcare. In 2017, about 70% of Syrian refugees in Lebanon did not have a valid residency.
We are now focused on providing Syrian refugees with access to healthcare and strengthening the Lebanese healthcare system to help the sector cope with the ongoing crisis.
1.5 million
Syrian refugees in Lebanon
85,000
Syrian refugees supported
112,104
Treatments provided
In partnership with local organizations such as Amel, we currently support 16 health centers and 6 mobile units in Bekaa Valley, providing valuable access to primary health care for refugees and their families. At each health center, Syrian refugees and extremely vulnerable Lebanese are able to access free primary and reproductive healthcare, health education, and malnutrition screening.
Nearly 1,000 consultations are conducted each month at the centers. In 2017 we supported thousands of vulnerable Syrian refugees in Lebanon and provided 112,104 consultations at the health centers which we support. Most of our patients have fled war, instability, and violence.
Many Syrian refugees are suffering from severe trauma and are in dire need of psychosocial support
Our mental health specialists provide therapeutic consultations and follow up meetings at our centers, with serious cases being referred to additional services. We also work with a team of community health workers who are able to identify members of the community who need help and can carry out referrals.
We will continue to improve primary healthcare provision and increase psychosocial support for refugees and vulnerable Lebanese at health centers across the country.