Needs Assessment Report: Syrian Refugees in South Lebanon

Swiss Solidar undertook a multi-sectoral needs assessment in August 2013 to assess the humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees residing in Nabatieh and Jezzine Districts in Southern Lebanon. Prior to undertaking its field assessment, Solidar undertook a detailed documentation review, including other recent needs assessment reports, strategy documents, NGO position papers and relevant standards. Based on feedback we received from other agencies, UNHCR and government sources, Solidar identified potential gaps in the provision of Shelter, WASH, Protection and Non Food Item (particularly winterisation) assistance in Nabatieh and Jezzine governorates in South Lebanon. A reconnaissance visit to Nabatieh to meet with the Head of the Union of Municipalities and two Heads of Municipalities was then undertaken on 25 July 2013 to confirm the need for Solidar to extend its operations to these locations. Feedback from these meetings demonstrated that there were indeed significant gaps in the assistance being provided to refugees, and Solidar made plans for a more detailed needs assessment. The assessment was undertaken over 5 days from 12-16 August 2013. In addition to Nabatieh, Solidar also included Jezzine District in the assessment as, although there were lower numbers of refugees, the extent of formal assistance was very low. The purpose of the assessment was to assess the situation of Syrian refugees in relation to shelter, livelihoods, WASH, winterisation and protection. Three teams from the local area were recruited and trained for the assessment, overseen by an Assessment Coordinator. The assessment took place in 12 municipalities, which were selected through discussions with the Union of Municipalities. Based on the findings of the assessment, Solidar held another meeting with members of the Union of Municipalities’ office to present the results and further develop its strategy on winterisation and rental assistance. The methodology used structured questionnaires for all activities in order to enable comparison between results but opportunities were provided for free discussion. In each district, Solidar interviewed the heads of municipality or person responsible for Syrian refugees. For the household questionnaires, three or four households were selected in each municipality by locating areas where Syrians were living and visiting households from different areas. A group interview was then undertaken with one or two people from between 4 and 10 households who had not taken part in the household questionnaire, depending on availability. Almost the same questions were asked to the refugees in the group interview as in the municipality interviews in order to cross-check data.