Guest researcher analyses the Syrian refugee crisis

With the Syrian refugee crisis being labelled the worst since the Rwandan genocide by the UN, research on the crisis, its repercussions and the way forward is of upmost importance. Hence, the Danish Institute for Human Rights is pleased to welcome Sami Salhab, professor of Public International Law, Humanitarian Law, Administrative Law, International Organizations at Saint Joseph University of Beirut as a visiting researcher.

“We are very happy to establish relations with Saint Joseph University. Welcoming professor Salhab, a leading expert within a field as presently important as the Syrian refugee crisis, is an extra pleasure,” Niklas Kabel Pedersen, manager of the institute’s Middle East and North Africa programme, explains.

Refugees’ impact Lebanon

Professor Salhab will focus his time at the institute working on a paper on the impact of the massive flow of Syrian refugees on Lebanon.

“Lebanon has officially absorbed almost 1.2 million Syrian refugees. That means, that one in five people in Lebanon is a Syrian refugee. Just imagine the impact that has on society,” professor Salhab says.

Adding to that number is a large group of Syrians already present in Lebanon prior to the conflict meaning that the total Syrian presence in Lebanon is estimated at roughly 1.8 million of a total population of 4.3 million.

At the same time, the international community has not provided much needed support to the Lebanese authorities.

“There is a big lack of effort from the international community. The food donations have plummeted so far that the World Food Programme no longer can provide sufficient rations for the refugees,” professor Salhab says.

Poor governance cripple Lebanon

Although an influx of refugees in the scale that Lebanon has experienced would strain any nation, the Lebanese also suffer from poor governance worsening the crisis. Lebanon would have been better off following the examples of Turkey and Jordan.

“In those countries, the governments have organised official refugee camps. Lebanon did not. This means that it has been almost impossible to control the spread and concentration of the refugees – in many cases leading to anarchy,” professor Salhab explains.

Adding to the problem is the fact that Lebanon perceives the refugees as displaced people, meaning that the Syrians lack the special protection granted to refugees.

“Before the conflict, Lebanon battled financial, social and security problems. It is undeniable that the huge number of Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon now is leading the country to the edge of a catastrophe,” according to professor Salhab.

He adds, that for catastrophe to be averted both the international community and Lebanon need to accept the scope of the crisis and act accordingly.

The Danish Institute for Human Rights looks forward to benefitting from professor Salhab’s expertise hoping to utilise the lessons from Lebanon on refugee streams and stability in other contexts.