WHO support to the humanitarian response in Lebanon

Overview

Five years into the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon has experienced a population growth of more than 30%. By the end of 2015, 4.2 million Lebanese people were hosting around 1.5 million Syrian refugees and half a million Palestinian refugees. Lebanese host communities continue to provide support and basic services to refugee populations – mainly health care, education and shelter – despite their own growing needs and deteriorating resources. There is no doubt that the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic has had severe repercussions on Lebanon’s overall economy and demography, and that the scale of the challenges faced by Lebanon requires a comprehensive combined humanitarian and development response.