Finding implementation gaps of child protection strategic response for Syrian refugees based on changing needs and situation in Lebanon

Abstract

Syrian refugee crises have been observed as one of the worst form of man-made crises of the time and ever seen in history. Six years of war have turned the whole country in to ruins and its people as largest group of refugees of the time. Now half of the population of these displaced persons is children and youth. This 50% of refugee is future of not only Syria but also future that will contribute to the stability, peace and harmony of the region as well as of the world that has already proven the side effects of unstable region on another. Now as humanitarian concern, UNICEF along with other international organizations and donors has developed strategic plans at regional and global level in order to preserve the basic rights of these vulnerable young Syrian refugees in accordance with UNCRC. More than 5 Million Syrian Refugees have been registered in neighboring countries out of which 50% is children and youth. Lebanon is the second largest Syrian refugees host country in the region where the situation remains speculative. A country of 4.4 million inhabitants, is hosting around 1.5 million Syrian refugees (registered), 42 000 Palestinian refugees from Syria, 6 000 Iraqi refugees and nearly 450 000 refugees from Palestine. This makes it the highest per-capita concentration of refugees worldwide, where one person out of four is a refugee. On the other hand, Lebanon is still collecting pieces from a long run sectorial Civil and political wars across border. Broken infrastructure is clearly depicting the effects of civil war. Economy has shattered. Unemployment among youth has increased. Since 2001, there is huge influx of refugees which Lebanese authorities were not prepared for. Poverty level among majority of Lebanese is worse than Syrian and other refugees in Lebanon. Due to historical situations and presence of different sectorial groups , there are multiple hurdles to humanitarian response and its complicating the situation in a way that almost 80% of children are out of school with an increasing rate of drop outs and on the other side harmful child labor, child prostitution, recruitment of young soldiers are dangerously increasing . This research paper re-evaluates the situation according to the changing context and need of the response. There is need to develop a more holistic, innovative, and sustainable solution that brings rapid solution to the current situation along with preventive approaches to fight the risks of the future. An integrated Child protection response will be a more comprehensive approach but in order to more specifically address the issue of stable and developed future , there is need of collective multiple peace keeping strategic responses to avoid the security concerns and maintain stable harmonized society , in result an assurance to a better stable future of child.