syrian refugees in tripoli, lebanon · case study will explore how relationships between lebanese...
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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.
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity3
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
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity4
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
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity5
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.
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity6
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
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity7
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
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity8
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
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity9
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.
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity10
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
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity11
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.
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity12
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.
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity13
theirimpactonfirstthelivelihoodofdailyworkersandthesocialcohesionbetweenbothcommunitiesinthecity.
CONCLUSION
TheurbanpovertyaggravatedbytheSyrianrefugeecrisisoffersasoberingperspectiveonthepathaheadforTripoli.Thecityisemergingfromfourdecadesofconflictandamyriadofchallengeslieahead.Theeconomy’spotentialdependsonexternalactorslikethecentralgovernmentandinternationaldonoragencies,andontheabilityofthemunicipalitytostepuptoplayastrongrole.Thisreportshowshowincome-generatingprospectscaneasetensionsbetweenhostandrefugeecommunitiesinurbansettings.Quickfixessuchasrapidemploymentinitiativesandlong-termstrategicplanningarebothneeded.Resourcesfrominternationaldonoragenciescanempowerlocaldecision-makersandmakethemeffective.IntegratedplanningandfocusedinvestmentscouldleadtoapathofsustainedlivelihoodsanddignityforLebanesecitizensandrefugeesinTripoli.
Image7:ViewfromElJesrinSouqinBebElHadid
ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity14
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“PeaceBuildingInLebanon:TripoliSupplement.”UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram(UNDP).March2015.http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/library/crisis_prevention_and_recovery/archive/tripoli-supplement.html.
Sader,Makram.“Tatawural-Qitaal-Masrifi1990-2010.”AssociationofBanksinLebanon.December2010.
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“TheTripoliTransformation/”BusinessInsider.AccessedMarch18,2017.https://www.thebusinessyear.com/lebanon-2016/the-tripoli-transformation/focus.
“TheVulnerabilityAssessmentofSyrianRefugeesinLebanon.”UNICEF,UNHCR,WFP.December16,2016.http://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/vulnerability-assessment-syrian-refugees-lebanon-2016.
“TripoliCityProfile2016.”UNHabitat.2016.https://unhabitat.org/tripoli-city-profile-2016/.
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ARefugeesinTownsCaseStudyfromtheFeinsteinInternationalCenter,TuftsUniversity15
ABOUTTHEAUTHORS
KhaledIsmailisaTripolitan,andahumanitarianprofessionalwiththreeyearsofexperienceintheresponseoftheSyrianCrisisinLebanon.HeisaPhDCandidateinStatisticalAnalysisandDataMiningattheAutonomousUniversityofBarcelona.
ClaireWilson,MastersCandidateinLawandDiplomacyattheFletcherSchool,focusesonhumanitarianstudiesandgenderanalysisininternationalstudies.ShespeaksArabicandhasworkedasahumanitarianpractitionerinLebanon,IraqandJordan.
NathanCohen-Fournier,MastersCandidateinInternationalBusinessattheFletcherSchool,focusesonsustainableandinclusivedevelopment.Priortograduateschool,NathanworkedforfouryearsinStrategyandFinanceatBombardierinCanada.
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