Timeframe covered by this update: October and November 2014
Summary
According to UNHCR and other agencies as reported in Mid-October, there has been less refugees coming from Syria to Lebanon. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has experienced a drop of between 40-50% new arrivals during the period of January to June 2014. Other agencies have also experienced similar declines in the number of beneficiaries they are targeting for support. UNHCR usually used to have registration of New Comers on an average of 50,000 people per month but the last two months saw 31,000 people entering Lebanon per month. The main reasons for decline in New Comers is assumed to be as follows:
Control of illegal entrance.
Restrictions at border
Control by municipality
On 23 October, the cabinet endorsed a plan aimed at halting the flow of Syrian refugees into the country, except for “humanitarian cases,” noting that any displaced person who visits Syria after the decision will be stripped off their refugee status. Under the plan, Syrian refugees will be encouraged to “return to their country or to other countries.” As for the impact of the refugee crisis on the security situation in the country, security forces are continuing their efforts to control security at refugee settlements, noting that the municipalities have been tasked with conducting statistical surveys in these areas.
Due to the reduced inflow of Syrian refugees into Lebanon, UNHCR and its partners are planning to revise their Standard operating Procedures (SoP) for New Comers. They also are considering to work on a Contingency Plan. This will be affirmed after further consultation with their donors.
The security situation remains volatile. Fighting between armed factions and the government forces broke out in Tripoli from 25 October. The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) was the only organization that had access to transport the wounded and dead during the conflict period
In addition, due to the security situation movement in some very sensitive areas has been restricted or limited thus delaying operation implementation.
On 21 November, the first major storm of the season hit Lebanon with downpours and heavy winds throughout the country. Heavy rains caused flooding in the Shekka tunnel north of Beirut, while big hailstones damaged cars in some areas. Roads were also flooded in the Batroun Region. The local highway was also filled at one point with hailstones, while rainwater flooded schools and other establishments. In Tripoli-North Lebanon, the majority of potholes were flooded due to the poor infrastructure, resulting in traffic in the area. The first snowfall was also reported in the region.
Similar scenes were witnessed at the Dinnieh Region as the heavy rain and consequent flooding caused traffic congestion, most notably at the Bakhoun-Taran Bridge. The thunderstorm was accompanied by a marked drop in temperature and the bitter cold in high areas has increased causing the refugees to suffer. This has created an urgent need for winterization support.
Following further discussions with Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Lebanon (PRCS/L), the Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) has been revised to accommodate the changing needs. Below is an overview of the revisions:
PRCS/L plans to procure 2 additional ambulances to cater for increased need for emergency support in Tyre and Bekaa.
Reduction of food parcels to be distributed from 13,500 parcels in 2014..
Removal of the 12,600 blankets that need to be prepositioned
Adjustment of the number of items to be distributed under the different sectors