UNHCR IN BRIEF (Arabic; French)

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCR was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.

The organization seeks long-term or 'durable' solutions by helping refugees repatriate to their homeland if conditions warrant, by helping them to integrate in their countries of asylum or to resettle in third countries.

In more than five decades, the agency has helped an estimated 50 million people restart their lives. Today, a staff of around 6,300 people in 110 countries continues to help 32.9 million persons.

UNHCR REGIONAL OFFICE IN BEIRUT

UNHCR Regional Office in Beirut was established in 1963. By that time, it covered all of the countries in the Middle East. In 1986, the regional office was transferred to Bahrain and later to Egypt. In 2002, the Regional Office was moved back to Beirut. UNHCR activities in Lebanon are carried out by 69 staff members.

In 2005, a Regional Resettlement Hub was established in Beirut to cover the Middle East, North Africa, Central, and South-West Asia. The functions of the Hub are to streamline resettlement procedures as well as to serve as a central liaison node with resettlement countries.

BENEFICIARIES

• Article 7 (C) of UNHCR Statute provides that its mandate shall not extend to a person who continues to receive protection or assistance from other organs or agencies of the United Nations. Therefore, in principle Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, West Bank, and Gaza Strip do not fall under UNHCR’s mandate as they are assisted by UNRWA.

• Who is a refugee? “A Refugee is a person, owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country” (Refugee definition in 1951 convention)

• The majority of non-Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are Iraqis. By the end of 2008, the total number of Iraqis in Lebanon was estimated at 50,000 persons, out of whom around 10,500 were registered with UNHCR.

• Along with Iraqi refugees, 320 refugees and 639 asylum seekers of other nationalities, in majority Sudanese and Somalis, were also registered with UNHCR by the end of 2008.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

Promotion of Refugee Protection: Most refugees do not have legal status in Lebanon and are at risk of arrest and detention. UNHCR succeeded in obtaining the release of 230 refugees from detention in 2008 while 1,029 persons received legal aid.

Resettlement: Resettlement to third countries is the only viable durable solution for most refugees in Lebanon. It is expected that around 2,500 persons will be resettled in 2009. • 2,391 refugees were accepted for resettlement in 2008 (including 2,320 Iraqis) • 1,373 refugees departed to third countries in 2008 (including 1,329 Iraqis)

Health: UNHCR, through its partners, provides health assistance to both in-patients and out-patients based on a needs assessment. An office for the rehabilitation of victims of torture and violence run by UNHCR’s partner, RESTART, also provides mental health services. • 4,560 persons received inpatient and outpatient services in 2008 • 518 persons received mental and psychological health services through UNHCR partner, Restart, in 2008

Education: In 2008, the Lebanese Ministry of Education issued an official circular calling on public and private schools to facilitate registration of all children of concern to UNHCR. UNHCR provides educational grants to all refugee children as well as remedial classes and vocational training through its NGO partners. 81% of refugee children between 4 and 17 years old are enrolled in formal education. • 1,397 children received education grants for the scholastic year 2008- 2009 • 144 persons received vocational training in 2008

COMMUNITY CENTERS

The office has two community centres for refugees and asylum seekers in Lebanon run by its partner, Amel Association. One is located in the southern suburbs of Beirut and the other is located in the east of Beirut with a focus on women empowerment. The centres provide non-formal education classes to refugee students and vocational/skills training activities to adult males as well as music classes, football training, and drama therapy, to refugee children and youths with the aim to help them express themselves, boost their morale and develop their skills.

WORKING WITH PARTNERS

Implementing partners in 2009: Association Justice et Miséricorde (AJEM), Amel association, CARITAS- Migrant Centre, The Middle-East Council of Churches (MECC), and RESTART.

Operational partners in 2009: Arc-en-Ciel, Chaldean Charity Association, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Frontiers, International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Medical Corps (IMC), Insan, International Organization for igration (IOM), Lebanese Association for Development (Al Majmoua), Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), Norwegian efugee Council (NRC), Pinnacle, Right to Play, Save the Children – Sweden and World Vision International.

2008 in Numbers 10,531 total number of registered refugees by the end of 2008 1,373 refugees resettled in third countries 230 refugees released from detention 1,029 refugees received legal assistance 7,735 food coupons distributed 1,397 refugees received winterization coupons 1,242 families received financial or non-material assistance 4,560 persons (44 % female) received health services 518 persons received direct and indirect mental health services. Males constitute 62% of the direct beneficiaries 1,397 children received education grants 393 persons received vocational training 2,348 field visits were conducted

UNHCR Fact Sheet   English  Arabic

For more information about UNHCR:
Tel: 961 1 84 92 01
Fax: 961 1 84 92 11
Email: lebbe@unhcr.org
Website:
English: www.unhcr.org
Arabic: www.unhcr.org.eg

Updated: May 2009

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