Syrian refugees and Lebanese Christians, together against the turmoil. (c2015)

Abstract

Almost four years have passed since the Syrian conflict started. More than one million Syrians have officially taken refuge in neighboring Lebanon, a country of 4.2 million people. Lebanon's ability to host and support incoming refugees has been stretched to the limit. In fact, with the absence of a clear Lebanese refugee policy, Syrian refugees have self-settled all over Lebanon, mainly in the North and the Bekaa. Lebanese Christian communities, among others, have been shaken by this crisis and have been developing coping mechanisms to face the Syrian refugee influx to their towns and cities. The purpose of this paper is to explore these coping mechanisms, the impact of the massive presence of Syrian refugees in predominantly Lebanese Christian areas and the relation between the two parties. The paper concludes that the main reasons for tensions are mutual misperceptions leading to fears related to security and safety and that the Syrian refugees’ presence can also bring some positive effects on those areas’ socioeconomic situation. Finally, the paper also proves that despite the fatigue of the host community studied, there is still a space for social cohesion and mutual compassion, which is translated in personal and community-based initiatives.