Impacts of International Forced Migration, Syria.

IMPACTS OF SYRIAN CRISIS See Diggo List.

 – Bekka. ( Lebanon)

1.. Burden of Hosting:

The number of surveyed households in Bekaa hosting Syrian refugees is 195 houses which accounts to 66% of total sample. The average number of hosts per family stands at 81. Some 62% of the respondents who are hosting Syrian refugees indicated hosting more than 5 Syrian refugees per household. 21% reported hosting 5 refugees per household. 17% of respondents reported hosting less than five refugees per household.When asked whether the accommodated refugees are relatives to the head of household, merely 6 % of cases were positive whereas 94% of the respondents noted that hosts are not relatives. The average hosting duration is 4 months with 80% of the respondents noting that they have been hosting the Syrian refugees between 3 and 6 months, 7% have had Syrian refugees for one month and 9% have been hosting refugees for over 12 months (since early onset of the crisis).

2. Increased Costs.

- Increased prices of all consumption items as a result of the overall performance of the Lebanese economy; - Regional inflation of prices as a result of incoming cash from Arab countries to Syrian refugees (for political and humanitarian reasons); - Increased cost of transporting goods because of increased prices of fuel; - Closure of border which has deprived the Lebanese from goods and services that used to flow from Syria. This includes for example health care services, agricultural products, veterinary services, pesticides, seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural goods and supplies, Livestock and forage, special medications for beekeeping, fuel for transportation and water pumping, and other consumer goods.

3. Decreased Incomes:

91% of the Bekaa respondents noted an income decline after the closure of the borders with Syria compared to 89% of North Lebanon respondents. Merely 7% of all respondents in Bekaa noted that they have found an alternative source of income, compared to 5% of North respondents. Of those who have found new jobs, those jobs were temporary for 75% of Bekaa respondents and 100% of North respondents. While the substitute source of income in Bekaa was the services sector (43% of respondents), agriculture (35% of respondents), and construction and industry (7% of respondents), the substitute source of income in the North was in agriculture (100% of respondents). The North result is affected by 2/3 of the sample being in Wadi Khaled that does not have a developed services or construction and industry sectors. Focus group discussions revealed some reasons for the decline in income, noted in Bekaa and North: - Increased competition between Syrian refugees and Lebanese laborers; Syrian refugees are charging half wages as compared to Lebanese laborers;

4. Worsening Economy.

- Worsening security situation and hence economic performance of communities close to the border; in Tripoli for example, it was noted that sales have decreased by more than 75% for some industries, specifically the furniture industry, a decrease described as “unprecedented” and “catastrophic” for the industry; - End of smuggling and border commerce which constituted the major source of income for communities like Wadi Khaled and Ersal; - Decreased access to agricultural lands and grazing fields next to Syrian borders; - Landmines on the borders which are becoming a threat to the cattle and the humans; - Decreased import/export traffic from/to/through Syria.

5.  Security.

6. Other Impacts:

Bekaa responden were asked to cite the compounding effect of the Syrian crisis where impact hits close to their homes, families and communities. The top three answers closely cited were: decreased income (81%), inflated prices (80%) and crowded job opportunities (79%). These were immediately followed by a decreased feeling of security with 71%.

North Lebanon respondents were more likely to cite the lost feeling of security (99%) followed closely by inflated food prices and crowded job opportunities (97% and 94% respectively). The security situation in Akkar and Tripoli, ranging from crossing of Syrian troops through the Lebanese boarders to Tebbeneh and Jabal-Mohsen conflict has exacerbated the feeling of insecurity among North residents and hence respondents.

• Decreased access to basic services (e.g. education, health, etc…)
• Decreased Access to cheaper goods 
• Decreased family income 
• Higher prices for goods and service
• Loss of feeling of security
• Higher use of already scarce natural resources
• Crowding existing job opportunities
• Strain on local health, education services

Full Report can be found here.

7. Impacts on Jordan

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Refugees in Business from Ban Barkawi on Vimeo.


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