The survey we conducted on the ground with a large number of host families and refugees shows that, three years after the outbreak of the Syrian crisis, misunderstanding seems to be permanently installed between the two parties. If a large number of successful experiences and peaceful cohabitation has been noted, it is feared that the situation might become, with time, a source of conflict.
Studies estimated the level of tolerance of a foreign presence[1] to less than 20%, which is far exceeded in many Lebanese areas, where refugees outnumber local inhabitants. In an attempt to imagine the scale of the crisis one should imagine France receiving in 3 years 16 million refugees, Britain roughly 15.9 million and Spain over 11 million, a quarter of their population. And that is if we only rely on official figures which estimate the Syrian refugees in Lebanon to one million (according to NGO sources they are in reality way more).
This massive influx raises obviously countless issues to a host country already severely weakened by its energy poverty, endemic youth unemployment (over 23%), sensitive confessional balance and its social and economic instability. Difficulties are increased by the daily arrival of impoverished people who are settling in the most fragile remote regions.
On the field, two populations facing each other who consider themselves wronged and unfairly treated. On one hand, there is a local population whose living conditions were already very difficult and with enormous needs even before the influx of refugees. And on the other hand, there is a Syrian population reduced to its refugee status, and forced to provide its competitive labor force and fight with all possible means to survive.
arcenciel manages its activities on the ground in such a context. We think it is crucial to consider the needs of everyone. Our association has the duty to help the Lebanese people not to feel aggrieved and threatened by the Syrian presence, as it has the duty to relieve the majority of refugee populations who survive in very precarious living conditions. That's what we attempt to do every day: supporting host communities to reduce their difficulties and help them cope with the crisis. While helping them and being aware of their problems - without accusing them - the association strives to reduce conflicts and prevent as much as possible unacceptable attitudes towards refugees (violence, vandalism, curfew imposed in some places ...) that can only pour oil on fire and lead to unwanted situations. Thus, arcenciel attempts to fill the gap pertaining to the needs of refugees, so they can overcome the fear and anxiety of an unknown future, and avoid inappropriate behavior.
arcenciel’s action towards both populations often creates misunderstanding. Syrians accuse the NGO when it calls for the distribution of an international assistance to everyone in need, diverting funds that should be reserved to them. Whereas the Lebanese accuse it of helping refugees ignoring the immense needs of local populations. arcenciel has however, since its establishment, chose to fight against prejudices. The association was born during the civil war, more specifically in 1984-1985, at a time when communities were tearing each other and when Lebanon was working according to a logic of segregation; Shiites against Sunnis, Druze against Christians, Christians against Christians. arcenciel worked against the flow by creating a structure that allows to serve everyone without discrimination and to counter the logic of segregation.
Once again, facing the Syrian crisis, arcenciel is only applying its initial mission which comes from an obvious statement: anyone who needs help should be assisted, regardless of his political, religious, and national affiliation. At a risk of offending many, the association considers political or nationality issues of refugees as secondary. Before being with or against the regime, before being Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi or else, any beneficiary is a person in difficulty who must be helped. If this mission, that arcenciel choses, does not satisfy everyone, it stays on track, committed to its openness to all, and has no desire but to have the means of its position, since the assistance provided is still way below the real needs.
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[1] proportion of
individuals that a community is supposed to accept without producing a
rejection phenomenon
