Lujain Rabat, Gadzhimuradova G.I. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syrian Refugees in Lebanon and Internally Displaced Persons in Syria. Nauchnoe obozrenie. Seriya 1. Jekonomika i parvо [Scientific Review. Series 1. Economics and Law]. 2020. Nо. 3. Р. 134-146. DOI: 10.26653 ...

Abstract

The article focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of Syrian refugees in Leb- anon and internally displaced persons in northwestern Syria. Since October 2019, Lebanon has experienced the deepest economic crisis in recent decades, expressed by a weakening national cur- rency and a sharp increase in inflation. The outbreak of COVID-19 once again emphasized the country's weak economic system, which affected the ability of humanitarian organizations to con- tinue to provide assistance to Syrian refugees. More than half of officially registered Syrian refu- gees in Lebanon have limited access to basic resources, such as drinking water, which significantly increases the risk of contracting the virus. In addition, due to fear of social stigma and deportation, refugees with symptoms similar to COVID-19 are afraid to seek medical help. The hostilities in the province of Idlib, which is not controlled by government forces, drove nearly a third of the inhabit- ants of northwestern Syria to the border with Turkey and significantly weakened the health infra- structure in the area. Taking advantage of the temporary ceasefire agreement, thousands of inter- nally displaced persons decided to return to places where fierce battles were fought less than two months ago, because it has become unsafe to be in the difficult conditions of border camps. Their houses remained in Idlib and one could count on the help of humanitarian organizations in coun- tering the epidemic. However, the conflict is still not resolved, and a ceasefire may be violated at any moment, which may provoke another exodus of residents from settlements, which in a pan- demic threatens the lives of thousands of Syrians.

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