SYRIAN REFUGEES IN TRIPOLI, LEBANON - fic.tufts.edu · Refugees in Towns Case Study Series Feinstein International Center, Tufts University Tripoli, Lebanon SYRIAN REFUGEES IN TRIPOLI,

RefugeesinTownsCaseStudySeriesFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity

Tripoli,Lebanon

SYRIANREFUGEESINTRIPOLI,LEBANONKhaledIsmail,ClaireWilson,andNathanCohen-Fournier

THEFLETCHERSCHOOLOFLAW&DIPLOMACY,TUFTSUNIVERSITYMARCH2017

THEREFUGEESINTOWNSPROJECT

Image1:AviewoftheneighborhoodofJabalMohsen

Withthegoalofunderstandingimmigrantintegration,theRefugeesinTowns(RIT)project,basedattheFeinsteinInternationalCenteratTuftsUniversity,seekstoexplorethedualexperienceofrefugeesandthetownsintowhichtheymove,fromtheperspectiveofboththerefugeesandthetown.Whenrefugeesmoveintoandsettleinatowntheychangethefabricofsocial,political,culturalandeconomicrelations,andthisfabricofrelationssimilarlyinfluencestherefugees’experience.TheRITprojectexploresthisco-evolvingprocessofrefugeeintegrationandurbandevelopmentbyfocusingonthe‘ground-up’experienceofhostingcommunitiesintownsorneighborhoodswithinlargecities.Throughaseriesofcasesstudies,theprojectdocumentsurbanchanges(i.e.theimpactonhouseholdsandcommunities,onurbanserviceandsystems,andonurbangovernance),andtheexperienceoftherefugeesthemselves—whetherandwhytheyhavethrivedorstruggled—withthegoalofbuildingatheoryofintegrationbasedontherelationshipsbetweenrefugeesandtheirhostcommunities.

ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity2

INTRODUCTION

Lebanonhasexperiencedaninfluxof1.5millionSyrianssince2011,representingalmostaquarterofitspopulation.ThechallengesthisinfluxcreateshavebeenparticularlyintenseinTripoli―Lebanon’ssecondlargestcityandtheurbancenterofthenortherngovernorate.Tripoliisacoastalcity,just30kmfromtheSyrianborder,anditspopulationhasgrownby17%withtheinfluxofSyrianrefugees.Tripoliispoorer,morepoliticallyfragmentedandmoreinsecurethanotherpartsofLebanon,includingBeirut,andtherefugeeinfluxhashaddeeprepercussions.

ThiscasestudyexploreshowtheSyrianinfluxhasaffectedTripoli,withafocusonurbanpoverty.ThecasestudywillexplorehowrelationshipsbetweenLebaneseandSyrianshavedeterioratedascompetitionoverjobsintensifies,securityconcernsincrease,anddecrepitpublicinfrastructurehasbeenfurtherstrained.IthighlightstheresponsesofSyrianrefugeesandtheLebanesepopulation,endingwithsomeideasaboutwaystoimproveemploymentprospectsandeconomicstability.

OVERVIEWANDBACKGROUND

TRIPOLIBEFORE2011

ThecityofTripolihasbeenmarredbydecadesofarmedconflictandinstability,resultinginafragileeconomythatisstrugglingtosupportthelocalpopulation,letalonetherecentinfluxofSyrianrefugees.

AsaresultoftheLebaneseCivilWar,thecitybecamemassivelyde-industrialized,andmostinvestmentsaredirectedtowardsBeirut.1Table1comparestheilliteracyandschoolenrolmentrates,andhealthinsurancecoveragebetweenTripoliandthenationalaverage.

Table1:SocialDemographicsinTripoliComparedtoNationalAverages

Indicator Tripoli NationalAverage

Illiteracy 11% 7%

SchoolEnrolment

Public 70% 30%

Private 30% 70%

HealthInsuranceCoverage 27% 52%Source:AdibNehmeh

1Sader,Makram,“Tatawural-Qitaal-Masrifi1990-2010,”AssociationofBanksinLebanon,December2010.


Inadditiontoahistoryofconflict,thecitycurrentlyhostsapproximately30,0002registeredPalestinianrefugees,andhasbeenthehomebasefortwoUNRWAPalestinianrefugeecampsestablishedafter1948.PalestinianshavebeenestablishedinLebanonformultiplegenerations,andanewtrendofinformalsettlementsoutsideofcamps,knowsas‘gatherings,’hasemerged.TherearenowfivePalestiniangatheringsinthecityofTripoliinthemunicipalitiesoftheAlFayhaaUnion,inMina,Beddaui,andTripoli(Table2).

Table2:PalestinianGatheringsandOfficialUNRWACampsinTripoliMetropolitanArea

Municipality Cadaster LocationType Name

Tripoli ElQoubeh Gathering BabElTebaneh

Jardins Zahryeh

Mina AlMinaJardinsNo.3 Gathering AlMina

Beddaoui - Gathering Mankoubin

Mouhajarin-Beddaoui

- Camp BeddaouiSource:UNRWA,UNDPandUN-Habitat(2016)

SYRIANREFUGEESINTRIPOLI,LEBANON

2“TripoliCityProfile2016,”UNHabitat,2016,3.

Map1:TripoliandthedistributionoftheregisteredSyrianrefugeesat the cadastral level. Source: UNHCR Syria Regional RefugeeResponse


ThewarinSyriathatbeganwiththeSyrianrevolutionin2011hascausedthemassdisplacementofSyrianstoTripoli,mainlyfromnearbySyriancitiessuchHoms,AlQousayer,andHama.AsofJanuary2017,Tripolihostsalmost70,000Syrianrefugees,3wholivein12cadastralsintheTripolimetropolitanareaspreadover42squarekilometers,asshowninMap1.Accordingtoourestimates,thisrepresentsa17%increaseinpopulationsincethebeginningoftheSyrianconflictwiththecityofTripoli’spopulationnowofficially478,504.4HowevertherealfigureofSyrianrefugeesisundoubtedlylargerastherearemanymoreSyriansinthecitywhohavenotregisteredwithUNHCR.

SyriaandnorthernLebanonhavealong-sharedhistory,withcommonculturalandreligiouscharacteristics.TripoliisthelargestSunnicityinLebanonandmanySyriansresidedtherepriorto2011,eitherbecausetheyhadfamilytiesorcameforwork,orbecauseSyrianssettledthereduringtheSyriangovernment’soccupationofLebanon.TripolihostsasizeableAlawite,pro-Assadcommunity(estimated50,000),concentratedintheneighborhoodofJabalMohsen.However,thegeneraldispositionofthecityislingeringanimositytowardtheAssadregime,becauseofitsruthlessoccupationofTripoliduringtheLebaneseCivilWar.ManyTripolitansthereforeempathizedwiththerefugeeswhofledtheAssadregime,andattheonsetofthewardemonstratedtheirsupportbywelcomingandprotectingthemintheirneighborhoods.

3“UNHCRSyriaRegionalRefugeeResponse,”UNHCRSyriaRegionalRefugeeResponseInter-agencyInformationSharingPortal,AccessedMarch6,2017.4“TripoliCityProfile2016,”3.

Image2:ViewoftheneighborhoodofJabalMohsen

Map2:Tripoli,Lebanon


WiththeinfluxofSyrianrefugees,Tripoli’shostingcapacitywassoonputunderstrain.In2011,armedclasheswerereignitedbetweentwoborderingneighborhoods:theSunniresidentsofBabEl-TebanehandtheAlawitesofJabalMohsen.ThesectariantensionsbetweenSunnisandAlawitesinSyriaandLebanonhavealonghistory,intensifiedbytheLebaneseCivilWar(1975-1990).ThelocalizedconflictinTripoliendedin2015,thoughthesecurityproblemscontinuetocontributetothecity’schronicpoverty.HalfofTripoli’sresidentsareconsideredpoor(thecity’spovertyrateishigherthanthenationalaverage)5andtheunemploymentrateexceeds35%.6

TheinfluxofSyriansisthesecondwaveofforcedmigrationtohitTripoli,withtheinfluxofPalestiniansbeingthefirst.ManySyrianhouseholdshaverelocatedtothePalestinian‘gatherings’totakeadvantageofthelowrents,theprospectofaidfromIslamiccharities,andthediminishedLebanesemilitarypresencethatexistinthesegatherings.

“Tripolihaschangedalotinrecentyears,especiallywiththewarinSyria.ItisnolongerthesamecitywhereIwasbornandraised.Manythingshavechangedsincethen,myneighborhoodisnowmorecrowded,whenIwalkaroundIseenewpeopleeveryday.Iseemanykidsspendingtheirtimeoutoftheschool,tryingtohelptheirparentsmakealivinginthiscity.Inthestreets,Iseealotofunemployedyouthandadultsspendingtheirdaysdoingnothing,readytodoanythingtoearnaverysmallamountofmoney.IseelongqueuesofpoorpeopleinfrontofATMmachinesatthebeginningofeachmonthwaitingtheirturntowithdrawthefinancialassistancefromtheinternationalcommunity.Tripolihaschangedalotbutitremainstheaffectionatecitythatisalwaysreadytohostandhelpitsneighbors.”-KhaledIsmail

URBANPROBLEMSANDTHEIMPACTONTHESYRIANREFUGEES

ThemajorformofpovertyinTripoliisincomepoverty.Today,76%ofLebanesehouseholdshaveamonthlyincomeoflessthan750,000LBP(500.00USD),7while74%oftheSyrianrefugeesarelivingbelowthepovertylinewithless180,000LBP(120.00USD)permonth.8Withfewemploymentprospects,competitionoverjobshasbeenakeysourceofsocialtensionsinTripoli.

5“PeaceBuildinginLebanon:TripoliSupplement.”UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram(UNDP).March2015,12.6“ChallengesandDevelopmentalOpportunitiesforTripoli,”InvestinLebanon(IDAL),February27,2016,8.7LeilaKabalan,“UrbanInequalitiesandPovertyinLebanon:WhatCanBeLearnedFromtheSocialMarketEconomy,”IssamFaresInstituteforPublicPolicyandInternationalAffairs,January2016,10.8TheVulnerabilityAssessmentofSyrianRefugeesinLebanon,”UNICEF,UNHCR,WFP,December16,2016,51.


HouseholdincomeanddailywagesacrossLebanondecreasedbetween2012and2015.9ThemaindriverbehindthisdeclineiswidelyconsideredtobeSyrianworkers’acceptanceoflowerdailywages.LebanesebusinessownersandemployerstakeadvantageofSyrianrefugeeswhoareoftenwillingtoworkforlowerwagesandlongerhours.LebaneseworkerswithsimilarskillsetsandcraftshavelosttheirjobstoSyrians,andeveryonesuffersfromrisingcommoditypricesandrents.Thisisduetoanincreaseddemandforhousingwhichhasplacedpressureonthecity’shousingcapacityparticularlyinheavilypopulatedlow-incomeneighborhoods,likeBabEl-Tebaneh,QoubehandZahryeh.Theimpactoftheinfluxofrefugeesonthelaborandrealestatemarketshavecontributedtodeepeningwealthinequalityinthecity.

Table3:EconomicVulnerabilityIndicatorsoftheSyrianRefugeesinTripoli

KeyIndicator Households

<SMEB10(US$87)

Households

Belowpovertyline(<US$3.84)

Householdsborrowedmoney

Householdswithdebt>US$600

Tripoli 53% 74% 88% 33%Source:UNICEF,UNHCR,WFP

GOVERNANCEANDREGULATIONSIMPOSEDONSYRIANS

Syriansfaceseveralgovernmentregulationsthatmakelifemuchmoredifficultforthem,including:theneedtorenewresidencypermits,newemploymentregulations,andlackofcoordinationamongstpublicinstitutions.

RESIDENCYPERMITS

In2015,theLebanesegovernmentattemptedtolimittheinfluxofmigrantsbyrequiringresidencypermits.Theapplicationforandrenewalofresidencypermitshascreatedsignificantbarriersforrefugees,preventingthemfrommovingfreelyinsearchoflivelihoodopportunitiesoraccesstobasicservices,suchashealthandeducation.ThereisanevenhighersecuritypresenceinTripoli,duetotheenforcementofthe2014Lebanesesecurityplan,where2,000LebaneseArmedForcesdeployedthroughoutthecityinefforttostopthearmedclashes.Syriansareathighriskofbeingtargetedat

9“LebanonEconomicMonitor,Fall2015:TheGreatCapture,”WorldBank,November18,2015,12.10SMEBreferstotheSurvivalMinimumExpenditureBasket,whichmeasuresitemsdeemedessentialforhouseholdsurvival.

Image3:Achildplayingin the street in Hay ElTanak,Tripoli


checkpointsandsubsequentlyarrestedanddetained.Menareparticularlytargetedbecausetheyareperceivedasbeingmoreofasecuritythreatthanwomen.

“AsacitizenofTripoli,itwasveryobviousformethattherewasasortofplantolimitthefreedomofmovementoftherefugeesinthecityappliedbythegovernmentmainlystartingfromendof2015wheretheinternalsecurityforces(ISF)appliedaverystrictsecurityplantocontroltheuseofmotorcycleswhichisknowntobethemostpopularmeanoftransportationfortheSyriansinTripoli.ThissecurityplanledtothearrestofdozensofSyriansmenandtoasignificantlimitationinthefreedomofmovementespeciallyinthedowntownofTripoliandduringworkinghours.”–KhaledIsmail

EMPLOYMENTRESTRICTIONS

Inadditiontotheresidencypermits,inmid-2015,theMinistryofLaborbegananationalcampaignaimedatpressuringLebanesebusinessownerstoemployonlyLebanesenationals.TheMinistryhassinceformalizedanewlegalframeworkthatregulatesSyrianlaborinLebanon.Syrianscanonlylegallyworkinthreesectors:construction,environment,andagriculture.TheinaugurationandrisetopowerofMr.MohammadKabbara,thenewMinisterofLabor,hasstronglyinfluencedpublicopinioninTripolithatLebaneseworkersshouldhavepriorityforjobs.TheMinistryofLaborrecentlyincreaseditspresenceinthecity,especiallyinthedowntownareasofTripoli(SahetElNourandElTal),whicharecentraltocommercialactivities.TheministryconductsroutinespotcheckvisitstoensurethatSyriansarenotworkingoutsideofthethreesanctionedsectorsandwithoutaworkpermit.ThesemeasureshavedirectlycontributedtotheclosureofdozensofcommercialestablishmentsbecausetheywereemployingSyriansandnotobservinglegalprocedures.

LACKOFCOORDINATIONAMONGSTPUBLICINSTITUTIONS

ThereiswidespreadlackofcoordinationamongstpublicinstitutionsindealingwithSyrianrefugees,andthecentralgovernmentrecentlytransferredresponsibilitytoTripolimunicipality.However,themunicipalityhaslongbeenconsideredaparalyzedinstitutionduetopoliticalaffiliationsandlimitedtechnicalcapacity.Poorgovernanceinthecityhasencouragedtheinternationalaidsystemtofilllocalinstitutionalvoids.Forexample,basicservicesthatshouldbeprovidedbyprovidedbytheTripolimunicipalitylikehealth,housing,education,andfoodassistancetoSyriansandvulnerableLebaneseareoftenprovidedbyinternationalaidagencies.Thelackofcoordinationintheaidsectorandtheabsence

Image4:MenspendingtheirtimeoutsideacoffeeshopinAl-Tel,Tripoli


ofguidancefromthemunicipalityondonors’rulesandproceduresmaketherelationshipbetweenmunicipalityandinternationalagenciescomplicatedandoverwhelmedwithbureaucraticprocesses.DespitetheinfluxofaidmoneyintoTripolirecentyears,thelocalgovernancedysfunctionisbarriertopositivegrowth.

STRAINONCOMMUNITYRESOURCES

AnotherimpactoftheSyrianinfluxhasbeenincreasedpressureonmunicipalserviceslikegarbagecollection,andonalreadyprecariousbasicinfrastructureassets,suchaspowergrids,roads,andbuildings.Electricity,inparticular,isinshortsupplynationwide.ManySyrians(andevensomeLebanese)obtainelectricitybyhookinguptoindependentsourceswithoutpayingfeestothenationalutilitycompany,EDL.Thereisincreaseddemandontransportationservices,causingcrowdingandroadtraffic,andmanyTripolitansbelievethatthegrowingpopulationhascontributedtomoretrafficaccidents.

RELATIONSHIPBETWEENHOSTCOMMUNITYANDREFUGEES

Generally,LebaneseresidentsinTripoliresentjobcreationactivitiesthattargetSyrians,believingthatLebaneseareentitledtoavailablejobsandthatSyrianrefugeesshouldnotbeprioritizedforworkandaid.SyriansinTripoliareconsideredassecond-classcitizenswhoaretakingoverworkopportunitiesandbenefitingfrominternationalaidwithoutanypositivecontributiontothecity.Thishasledtosocialtensionsthatmanifestindiscriminationandpersonaldisputes.

However,SyriansarestillwidelyacceptedinTripoliduetothesharedculturalandreligiousvalues.AtFridayprayer,manyimamsgivesermonsemphasizingtheimportanceofsupportingSyriansas“Muslimbrothers”.Bycontrast,inotherareasinLebanon,likethecityofBatroun(ChristianvillagenearBeirut),discriminationlevelsaresohighthatthemunicipalityhasenforcedcurfewsforSyrians.

“Everyweek,ineveryFridayPrayerIattendedinthelast4years,imamsclosetheirsermonsbyprayingforthe‘SyrianBrothers’whoaresufferingfromforcedmigrationandfromthemiserablelivingconditionsalongwithallwhatishappeningintheircountry.Thistypeofweeklysupportthroughthemosquesispreventingtheacceptancelevelfromdecliningincityandpreventingadisastrouscollapseinthecity.”-KhaledIsmail


Image5:AsoftheendofJanuary2017,thebannerishungintwodifferentlocationsinAlQoubeh-Tripoli.Thesignsays:"DearSyrianrefugee,Ideservetoworkinmycountrymorethanyoudo."

HOWSYRIANREFUGEESCOPEWITHURBANPRESSURES

SyriansinTripolistrugglewiththeeconomicandsecuritychallengesofthecityandthegrowingresentmentoftheLebanesecommunity,andmanyhaveadoptednegativecopingstrategies.ThreesuchstrategiesarespecifictoTripoli’surbancontext:relocationtomarginalizedneighborhoods;acceptinglowwagesandpoorworkingconditions;andworkinginexchangeforhousing.

RELOCATIONTOMARGINALIZEDNEIGHBORHOODS

Inresponsetothenewlaborregulations,Syrianrefugeespreviouslylivinginthedowntownareasaremovingtomarginalizedandcrowdedneighborhoodsontheoutskirtsofthecity(BabEl-TebanehandQoubeh)wherethereislessoversightfromtheMinistryofLabor.TheseareasarealreadyoccupiedbypoorandvulnerableLebaneseandtheinfluxofSyrianisincreasingpopulationdensityandfurtherdeepeningthesocialdivide.Currently,therearenostudiesthatexaminetheimpactsofthisrelocation.Suchresearchwouldcertainlybeworthwhile.

ACCEPTINGLOWWAGESANDPOORWORKINGCONDITIONS

ThelackofemploymentopportunitiescoupledwithMinistryofLaborregulationshavemeantSyriansinTripoliacceptlowwagesandpoorworkingconditionsincludinglackofworkplacesafety.TripolihasboththelongestworkinghoursandlowestaveragewageforSyriansinLebanon.11Facedwithbarrierstoformallabormarkets,SyriansandsomeLebaneseresidentshavestartedmicro-enterprises,i.e.small,craft-orientedbusinessessuchassmallwagonssellingstreetfood,sweetsorcoffeepreparedintheir

11“TripoliCityProfile2016”,52.


homes.Thislargeinformalmarketcanposehealthandsafetyrisks,andsometimesusechildlabor.However,itisasourceofmuch-neededincomeforpoorSyrianandLebanesehouseholds.

EMPLOYMENTINEXCHANGEFORHOUSING

InflatedrentsacrossTripolimeanSyrianssometimesworkinexchangeforhousing.Alongsidethesharpriseinpopulationandincomeinequalities,Tripoliiswitnessingaboomintheresidentialhousingmarketforwealthyfamilies,mainlyinthesouthernareasurroundingtheRachidKaramehInternationalExhibitionCenter.InthesenewlyconstructedneighborhoodsinAl-Maarad,DamandEl-Farez,Syrianrefugeesworkasserviceproviders(janitors,domesticguards,etc.)inexchangeforhousing.Oneoftheauthors,aLebaneseresidentofTripoli,estimatesthatintheseareasthewagedoesnotexceed150,000LBP($100/permonth).Furthermore,manyLebaneseresidentsintheseneighborhoodsofferadditionalin-kindandcashassistanceonanad-hocbasisinexchangeforotherservices,i.e.cleaningandprotectingthebuilding.ManybuildingsinthewealthyneighborhoodsofTripolinowhaveSyrianguardsandjanitors.ThesekindsofadhocarrangementsoffersomereliefforSyrianhouseholdsbutalsoleavethemexposedtoabusiveemployerswithlittlerecourse.Inthepast,thesepositionswereheldbymigrantsfromEgyptandBangladesh,whocarriedoutthesetasksbeforethewarinSyria.Thereislittleinformationontheimpactofthisemploymentonmigrantsandthehostingcommunity.

“ManyfriendsarelivinginneighborhoodslikeAlDamandFarez,AlMaaradandAlMiten,whereineverysinglebuildingthereisaSyrianfamilyworkingasajanitorcleaningandmonitoringthebuilding.Usually,theSyrianwifeisresponsiblefordailycleaning,thekidsareresponsibleofliftinggoodsandstuffandtheSyrianmanisresponsibleofallmaintenance(electricalandmechanicalwork)forthebuilding.”–KhaledIsmail

RECOMMENDATIONS

UrbanpovertyandtheinfluxofSyrianrefugeestogethercreateahighriskofeconomicandsocialcollapseinTripoli.ThefragilityofTripoli’surbaneconomy—weakinfrastructureandpublicservices,lackofemploymentopportunities,andparalyzedinstitutions—isfurtherunderminedbyincreasingcommunitytensions.SomebriefideasfollowforhowtoimprovethesituationallresidentsofTripoli,includingSyrianrefugees.

SUPPORTFORTHESECTORSINWHICHSYRIANSAREELIGIBLETOLEGALLYWORK

ImprovedeconomicprospectsaredesperatelyrequiredtoimproveTripoli’ssituation.Inparticular,improvingthecompetitivenessofsectorsinwhichSyriansarelegallyallowedtowork—construction,agriculture,andenvironment(mainlywastemanagement)—wouldprovideastartingpointtostrengtheneconomicresilienceforbothLebaneseandSyrianRefugees.Tripolihasanindustrialzoneandisintheprocessofdevelopingaspecialeconomiczoneintheport.Thecity’seconomyishighlydependentoncommercialtrading,industryandconstruction.However,thesesectorsexhibitsluggish


growthduetolackofinfrastructureinvestments,lowcompetitivenessinexternalmarkets,and,mostimportantly,andabsenceofacoordinateddevelopmentplan.

TheTripoliSpecialEconomicZoneprojectoffersanintriguingpotentialtosupportvulnerablehouseholds.Indeed,withmillionsofdollarsinplannedinvestments,thisprojectcouldcreatesignificantwindfallsinTripoli’swidereconomythroughamultipliereffect.12Byprovidingstableincomeandtrainingopportunitiesintheconstructionsector,bothSyriansandpoorLebanesecitizensinTripolicouldbenefit.Developmentalprogramsofcashforworkwouldbeagoodstartingpoint.

“Likemostresidentsofthecity,Isufferfromthechallengescreatedbypopulationdensity,whichisreflectedonthepublicinfrastructureinTripoli.Thepressureisclearlyincreasingoninstitutionssuchashospitalsandschools.Moreover,crowdedroadsandtrafficjamsareintensifiedbyeveningshiftsforSyrianstudents,particularlyinEl-TebanehandQoubeh.DespitethenumberofnewprogramsinTripolicreated,themunicipalityneedstosupportthedevelopmentofnewinfrastructureonalargerscaletoaccommodatethem.”–KhaledIsmail

TECHNICALASSISTANCEFORMUNICIPALACTORS

MunicipalactorsstruggletocoordinateplanninginTripoli,butitiscriticalthatthemunicipalitydesignarigorousstrategicplantodeliverinfrastructureandpublicservices.TechnicalassistanceprojectstargetingtheTripolimunicipalityandAlFayhaaUnionofMunicipalities(Tripoli,ElMinaandElBeddaoui)thataimtoincreasethemunicipality’scapacitycouldbeimmenselybeneficialandgeneraterippleeffectsthroughTripolitansociety.Specifically,technicalassistancetotheengineeringunitresponsibleforinfrastructurerelatedactivitiescouldbeaneffectivestartingpoint.

Thefollowingthreepointsillustratehigh-levelinitiativesinthatvein:Ø Establishorsupportexistingdevelopmentofficestobuildthemunicipalcapacityintermsof

planning,fundraising,proposalwritingandprojectmanagement.Inessence,theobjectiveherewouldbetostreamlineadministrativeprocessesandlowerthebureaucraticburden,whichisstiflinganumberofinitiatives.

Ø Themunicipalitycouldreceiveon-the-jobtrainingfrominternationalorganizationstoincreasein-housecapacity.Suchpartnershipscouldbeacost-effectivewayofimplementingeffectiveinstitutionalcapacitybuildingforthemunicipalityandyieldlong-termbenefits.

Ø Localdecisionmakersmustbeempoweredwithdecision-makingabilitiestopromoteurbandevelopmentandcoordinationwithinternationalorganizationsanddonorsbasedonlocalknowledgeandinternationalbestpractices.Thehierarchicalandrigidprocessesinplacemakeforslowchangeswhentheurgencyofthesituationrequiresanimbleandagilemunicipalgovernance.

12“TheTripoliTransformation,”TheBusinessYear,AccessedMarch18,2017.


Thesecapacity-buildingprograms,offeredtotheTripolimunicipalitystaff,couldleadtoamoreeffectiveinstitutionalresponsetotheurgentneedsinthecity.Subsequently,thistypeofprogramingshouldcontributetoloweringthesocialtensionbetweenrefugeeandhostcommunities,whicharemainlyduetothepressuresonpublicassetsandservices.

RAPIDEMPLOYMENTINITIATIVES

Rapidemploymentinitiativesofferedbyinternationaldonoragenciesofferavaluablealternative.Short-termemploymentprojectsthatcreatetemporaryemploymentsopportunitiespresent“quick-fix”livelihoodsolutionsforbothSyrianandLebanesecommunities.Whilethesetypesofprojectsareatemporaryremedy,theyhavethepositiveeffectofinjectingmuch-neededcapitalintheeconomy.Moreover,rapidemploymentinitiativeshaveprovedquitehelpfulatthehousehold-level.

SomeexamplesinTripoliinclude:Ø ArehabilitationprojectforalZehryehneighborhoodimplementedbyDanishRefugeeCouncil

(DRC)toinstallsolarstreetlightsandemployingvulnerableLebaneseandSyriansworkersinTripoli.

Ø BusinessdevelopmentprojectstargetingmicroandsmallmediumenterprisesbyUNDP,DRC,Care,MercyCorps,BIAT(localNGO)andAlMajmouaa(localNGO).TheseprojectsaresupportingsmallbusinessesestablishedeitherbyLebaneseandSyriansinTripolibyprovidingthemwitheithercashgrantsorbusinessplanningsupport,networkingandlinkagetomarkets.

Theimplementationoflarge-scalerapidemploymentinitiatives,whichcanincludetherehabilitationofvulnerablecrowdedinternalneighborhoods,installationofrenewableenergyalternatives,maintenanceandconstructionofsewageinfrastructurenetworks,aswellasgreenspacesarerecommendeddueto

Image6: Somepopular rapidemployment initiatives for Tripoli residentsinclude "beautification projects", which include painting the exteriors ofbuildings, as a means to visually improve the city aesthetics from thedestructionofthewar.


theirimpactonfirstthelivelihoodofdailyworkersandthesocialcohesionbetweenbothcommunitiesinthecity.

CONCLUSION

TheurbanpovertyaggravatedbytheSyrianrefugeecrisisoffersasoberingperspectiveonthepathaheadforTripoli.Thecityisemergingfromfourdecadesofconflictandamyriadofchallengeslieahead.Theeconomy’spotentialdependsonexternalactorslikethecentralgovernmentandinternationaldonoragencies,andontheabilityofthemunicipalitytostepuptoplayastrongrole.Thisreportshowshowincome-generatingprospectscaneasetensionsbetweenhostandrefugeecommunitiesinurbansettings.Quickfixessuchasrapidemploymentinitiativesandlong-termstrategicplanningarebothneeded.Resourcesfrominternationaldonoragenciescanempowerlocaldecision-makersandmakethemeffective.IntegratedplanningandfocusedinvestmentscouldleadtoapathofsustainedlivelihoodsanddignityforLebanesecitizensandrefugeesinTripoli.

Image7:ViewfromElJesrinSouqinBebElHadid


REFERENCES

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“TheVulnerabilityAssessmentofSyrianRefugeesinLebanon.”UNICEF,UNHCR,WFP.December16,2016.http://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/vulnerability-assessment-syrian-refugees-lebanon-2016.

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ABOUTTHEAUTHORS

KhaledIsmailisaTripolitan,andahumanitarianprofessionalwiththreeyearsofexperienceintheresponseoftheSyrianCrisisinLebanon.HeisaPhDCandidateinStatisticalAnalysisandDataMiningattheAutonomousUniversityofBarcelona.

ClaireWilson,MastersCandidateinLawandDiplomacyattheFletcherSchool,focusesonhumanitarianstudiesandgenderanalysisininternationalstudies.ShespeaksArabicandhasworkedasahumanitarianpractitionerinLebanon,IraqandJordan.

NathanCohen-Fournier,MastersCandidateinInternationalBusinessattheFletcherSchool,focusesonsustainableandinclusivedevelopment.Priortograduateschool,NathanworkedforfouryearsinStrategyandFinanceatBombardierinCanada.

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