The Impact of the Syria Crisis on Lebanon
in: Springer Proceedings in Mathematics & Statistics, Volume 185, Dynamics of Disasters—Key Concepts, Models, Algorithms, and Insights Kalamata in Greece, June–July 2015, Editors: Ilias S. Kotsireas, Anna Nagurney, Panos M. Pardalos ISBN: 978-3-319-43707-1 (Print) 978-3-319-43709-5 (Online) 2016
Posted: 5 Dec 2016
Date Written: November 28, 2016
Abstract
Despite popular expectations of political transition and economic development associated with the 2010 Arab Spring movement, the Arab region sees unrelenting conflict in many of its parts (for example, Libya, Syria, and Yemen). Against the backdrop of regional challenges, the present paper will discuss the impact of the Syria Crisis on its neighboring country, the Republic of Lebanon. The Syria Crisis just entered its sixth year and the destruction of historical cities such as Aleppo and Palmyra reach unprecedented levels as international actors (e.g., Russia) enter the conflict. Streams of refugees leave the camps in neighboring Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon to embark on the very risky journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.Without any durable political solution anticipated to emerge anytime soon, the conflict takes uglier turns every day, for example: (1) increasing disrespect for the protection of civilians (e.g., Geneva Convention) results in a rising direct and indirect civilian death toll also affecting the few crucial health workers that still remain in country; (2) continuing geographical expansion of Islamic State militants and unsavory shifting coalitions at the national and regional level — be they political or military; and so on.
Lebanon — being an immediate neighbor of Syria — and its population have felt the brunt of the Syria Crisis. Hosting more than 1 million refugees, the economic burden is assumed to have accumulated to 7.5 billion USD. Contributing to these “costs of conflict” are the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the Syria Crisis. Setting the stage for the discussion, the present paper provides a brief history of the special relationship between the two countries in the Levant. It highlights the close political, economic, and social ties over centuries, often neither peaceful nor constructive. With an understanding for the relationship between Lebanon and Syria, the paper details the economic, social (health, education), and environmental (agriculture, food security) costs for Lebanon that emanate from the continuing Syria Crisis.
The resilience of Lebanon and its people is remarkable, though without support the impacts of the Syria Crisis could prove insurmountable. In February 2016, the London Conference brought together stakeholders that committed to substantial humanitarian and development support for Lebanon. They emphasised the importance of greater integration and cooperation among public, private, and civil society institutions to improve economic (e.g., labor market access, subsidy reform, competition, and market access), social (e.g., safety nets), and environmental (e.g., upgrade irrigation practices) policies in Lebanon with a view towards enhancing resilience and returning to a peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive development growth path.
Keywords: Lebanon, Syria crisis, Economic costs, Social costs, Environmental impact, Refugees, Humanitarian crisis, Development challenge, Neighbours
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