A Strategy for Social Cohesion and Stability in Tripoli, Lebanon

Initial feedback and strategy options for

CARE International in Lebanon March 2015

Magnus Wolfe Murray

IMPACT: Social Stability in Lebanon

OUTCOME: Better living conditions and economic opportunities for the most vulnerable people living in Tripoli

Community regeneration builds trust and cooperation

Physical Improvements & Repairs to rented homes

Legal & Admin support accessed by refugees

Enhanced livelihoods opportunities

OU T P U T S

INPUTS, Assumptions

o Improved social cohesion

o Active engagement together

o Enhanced local environment

o Vector control

o Reduced disease burden

o Improved psycho-social status

o Increase family income

o Local gardens and food production

o HLP assistance o Landlord

negotiations o Information

service

Local NGO & Govt. in partnership

• Income opportunities for all vulnerable people

• Agriculture related (permitted by GoL)

• Small gardens programme

• Waste recycling business

• Support to negotiate the administration of residency permits, etc.

• Liaison with NRC’s ICLA team

• Support with contract negotiations

• Information on available options for accommodation

• Address “low hanging fruit” for community improvements

• Street lighting (solar)

• Solid waste disposal

• Regeneration of environment

• local repair teams & LNGO

• NFIs (light, heat, etc.)

• Target both Lebanese and refugees

• Careful on beneficiary selection and vulnerability criteria

Repairs and upgrades to

shelters

Community Regeneration

and Action Initiatives (CREATE)

Livelihoods Legal

support (refugees)

Holistic and mutually beneficial

Livelihoods

Community engagement

shelter

Around 70,000 refugees live in Tripoli, most in rented apartments. This one with serious leaks and damp

Most rented places have lots of little problems that can be fixed quite easily. Like gaps around the window and roof that letter water in.

Here the toilet and kitchen are right beside each other, a simple screen would provide more privacy & dignity.

As available housing to rent diminishes, garages and unsuitable spaces are converted for renting. Simple improvements could

include ventilation, light, a stove and a chimney.

Damp and leakage in ceilings and walls – the cause of chronic

illness. Young children and elderly especially vulnerable.

Toilets are often broken, hand-washing not available. These are low-cost, high-impact investments that could improve the well being of the inhabitants.

Most toilets in good condition – but hand-washing devices needed.

No windows to protect from rain and cold weather.

This Syrian refugee is already fixing many problems around the neighbourhood. Combined with some local tradesmen they could form a

dual-nationality repair team to address the other shelter and public health problems in the area.

Local NGO Lebanon Relief Council. Could have key role facilitating dialogue and cooperation between Lebanese and

refugees communities.

Community regeneration projects? This disused site is a good example for clean up, creation of an urban

garden, play area, etc.

Garbage & Rats or community garden and income generation zone? The community must decide.

Maximise use of all available spaces; this could be a highly productive fruit and vegetable plot.

Collaboration with local community & authorities is vital.

The front yard of Lebanese & Syrian dwellings. Currently a public health hazard. Potentially a joint project to create a community space

for education, livelihoods, gardening or gatherings.

A refugee family that can’t afford to send the children to school. The local NGO and local volunteers could collaborate on community

education project, using this space for learning. Or cleared up external spaces.

Heating, solar lights: low-cost and high-impact

The old market place in Tripoli. Bustling for centuries now quiet and almost empty as 90% of food and products imported to Lebanon.

Investment in local food production and manufacture could provide jobs and stability to the local economy.

Notes / related inputs

• Creating jobs and new livelihoods essential for social stability in Tripoli, in Lebanon.

• UN and donors must advocate with Govt. of Lebanon to allow Syrians and Lebanese to both benefit from economic investment and new jobs.

• Good opportunity for CARE in Tripoli following significant WASH infrastructure investments

• Strong reference to GoL / UN HC Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2015 - 2016

Programme considerations

• Low cost & high impact

• Lebanese and Syrian beneficiaries

• Municipality engagement

• Multi-year funding (at least 2 years)

• Collaboration with private sector / businesses