Lebanon’s
infrastructure is creaking under the strain of the influx of 1.5 million
Syrian refugees, a Scottish charity helping to provide vital support
has warned. The labour market, housing, education, health services and even food
security have been put at risk after the country’s population ballooned
by 37% since the beginning of Syria’s civil war.

Through its partner Caritas Lebanon, the Scottish Catholic
International Aid Fund (Sciaf) is providing funding to help stop the
most vulnerable refugees and poorest Lebanese people from falling
through the cracks. Sciaf director Alistair Dutton said: “Lebanon is still finishing
rebuilding itself after 40 years of civil war. It was already a struggle
and now things are completely overstretched.

“I think the Lebanese people have been incredibly impressive keeping
the border open. They talk about one another as their brothers and
sisters, they want them to come, and yet they are very frightened about
what it could do to them economically.” Father Paul Karam, president of Caritas Lebanon, said Lebanon’s economy is approaching breaking point.

“If the crisis will continue with this huge number of refugees
entering Lebanon, I think it will cause much damage,” Father Paul said.

“It is almost on the level to break. Economically we are already on a very red level.”

Almost 1.2 million Lebanese people now live below the poverty line
in a country of 5.9 million, including the refugee population.

Almost a quarter are unemployed, while many poor families can no
longer afford to rent apartments due to high demand for housing.

Meanwhile, there are no formal camps for the refugees – instead
informal settlements have cropped up on available land as diverse as
olive groves and abandoned leisure parks, mostly concentrated in the
north and the Bekaa Valley.

Others are staying in apartments or empty properties in the cities.

Since 2015, refugees are no longer permitted to work unless they have a Lebanese sponsor, compounding their reliance on aid.

The government has introduced a “second shift” in schools to provide
spaces for more Syrian children – 157,000 were enrolled in 2015/16,
according to UNHCR figures – but many children have dropped out of
education to become the main breadwinner in their family.

Poverty levels mean refugees and poor Lebanese residents struggle to
afford healthcare yet are hugely susceptible to ill-health. Around 86%
of the country’s hospitals are privately owned.

Caritas Lebanon provides treatment at its 10 health centres, and uses
its mobile clinic and dispensary to see refugees in settlements.

During a visit to a camp near Taalabaya, staff from the mobile clinic operate a triage system because the queues are so long.

Women and children line up outside the tent to see a doctor, with babies prioritised.

It visits the 900-resident camp once a week.

Common ailments include skin burns, flu, and fever. Toothaches are frequent among children because of a lack of calcium.

Caritas regional co-ordinator Ramzi Abou Zeid said: “The winter is very, very tough for them.

“They get colds, flu, small children they are not well covered, they do not have enough clothes.

“Caritas is one of the main organisations helping, but it’s hard to help constantly because funds are not enough.”

Around 70,000 unregistered babies have been born in Lebanon since
2011, adding to demand for schooling and healthcare for children.

Paediatrician Dr Dina Kahi volunteers once a week at the primary health centre in Rayfoun.

She sees between 15 and 20 children in two hours. Problems range from pneumonia and gastroenteritis to routine vaccinations.

“We are overloaded,” she said.

“We try to do our best to see everybody. Sometimes we don’t have any more doses, so we have to postpone vaccinations.

“Sometimes they (mothers) don’t even have money to get milk, or
diapers. It is very basic needs. If it is not covered by an NGO, they
don’t get help because Lebanon has private healthcare.”

Funding is vital, she added.

“It is a risk for babies if there is no more support. We could lose babies like that.”

Despite rising tensions and pressure on its services, many Lebanese people support efforts to help their neighbours.

Lebanese man Jean Antoine Sfeir, 69, is being treated at the Caritas clinic for a tumour because he cannot afford private care.

Sitting in the waiting room alongside refugees, he simply said: “Humanity is important.”

To donate to Sciaf’s Christmas appeal visit www.sciaf.org.uk or call 0141 354 5555.