This report on the critical survey conducted in 2015 by American University in Beirut, examines the implications of protracted displacement for Palestinian refugees that live in Lebanon (PRL) since the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49. The survey analyses the differences between the protracted situations of the 42,000 PRL living in Lebanon for the past 68 years and the 1.1 million registered refugees from Syria (PRS) and found that critical differences exists between the two communities. PRS have a higher rate of poverty and unemployment, lower access to employment and decent work conditions and a higher reliance on UNRWA humanitarian assistance, as well as specific challenges related to their legal status in Lebanon. On the other hand, PRL still face one of the worst socioeconomic conditions in the region which are further deteriorated, a high and stagnant rate of poverty, discriminatory laws which impede their ability to improve their living conditions and livelihoods, and decaying transportation, and water and sewage treatment infrastructure in their camps. The survey advocates for ensuring support and services for the most poor, for improving working conditions for refugees, and for engaging youth effectively in increasing access to livelihood opportunities.
CHAABAN, J. SALTI, N. GHATTAS, H. IRANI, A. ISMAIL, T. BATLOUNI, L. (2016): Survey on the Socioeconomic Status of Palestine Refugees in Lebanon 2015. Beirut: American University of Beirut (AUB) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) URL [Accessed: 20.07.2016]