Attachments
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the protection situation and protection response in Lebanon, with a view to highlight key trends, gaps in assistance, and shed light on important sector priorities and recommendations for key stakeholders. The document includes protection, gender-based violence, and child protection trends across population groups in Lebanon.
Methodology
This report draws on contributions from various assessments and protection partner analysis at national and subnational level. Sources include UNHCR, UNRWA and IRC protection monitoring; PWG North Protection Monitoring reports; GBV and Child Protection (CP) Information Management System (IMS) findings; Inter-Agency referral trends; and partner-specific assessment findings and insights from core and working group members, sub-national coordinators, and co-coordinators across the sector. There are several limitations to this report. Aside from UNHCR protection monitoring findings, sources do not provide nationally representative data and should be understood as indicative. Protection monitoring tools are not standardized across population groups and the sector relies on secondary data sources shared by partners rather than analyzing primary data. 1
Context Overview
Political and socio-economic
On 7 May 2023, the Arab League agreed to reinstate Syria's membership after a 12-year suspension, signaling a step toward reintegrating the Government of Syria into the regional community. The decision also calls for addressing refugee displacement and drug smuggling. A ministerial group consisting of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Arab League's Secretary General are due to liaise with the Syrian government to seek solutions.2 The decision was met with mixed reactions in the region and internationally. Nevertheless, it has further invigorated discussions in Lebanon and is being cited to try to legitimize some positions on the refugee return file among Lebanese decision-makers.
The 7th Brussels Conference ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the Region’ was held on 14 and 15th June 2023. Lebanon's caretaker Foreign Minister expressed the need for increased tangible support from the international community. The international community reaffirmed solidarity, recognizing Lebanon’s generosity and hospitality, and demonstrating a continued commitment to support Lebanon. At the same time, it stressed the need to address underlying political, economic, and financial challenges through comprehensive reforms. While governments positioning regarding Syria crisis political dynamics was mixed, there was a greater call by many including civil society for greater seriousness about accountability mechanisms and civilian protection in Syria. In June, the United Nations General Assembly also adopted a draft resolution to establish an independent body to clarify the fate of the missing and forcibly disappeared in Syria, determine their whereabouts, and provide adequate support to the victims and families of the missing.