The European Union has announced a aid package of 1 billion euros for Lebanon, with a significant portion aimed at boosting border control to prevent asylum seekers and migrants from leaving the country. The aid package will also support Syrian refugees and vulnerable groups in Lebanon, with plans to work on a structured approach to voluntary return of refugees. The Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister has expressed appreciation for the aid, highlighting the importance of security for both Lebanon and European countries.
Lebanon hosts a large number of Syrian refugees and has been facing a severe financial crisis since 2019. Tensions have escalated in Lebanon due to recent incidents involving Syrian refugees, prompting increased deportations. The surge in irregular migration of Syrian asylum seekers from Lebanon to Cyprus has put pressure on Cypriot authorities, who have suspended processing of Syrian asylum applications and have been accused of forcibly turning back boats carrying asylum seekers.
The aid package was announced ahead of the annual fundraising conference for the Syrian crisis in Brussels, at a time when donor fatigue has set in and attention is focused on more recent conflicts. While some Lebanese officials believe the aid will help address the refugee crisis, others argue that the root issue of illegal migration needs to be resolved. Syrian refugees in Lebanon are facing challenges and are caught between a desire to return home and concerns about their safety and lack of options for resettlement.
The situation in Lebanon is not sustainable for the country, Cyprus, or the European Union, according to Cypriot officials. Some Lebanese officials are calling for the return of Syrian refugees to either government or opposition-held areas of Syria. Meanwhile, Syrian refugees like Bassel al-Shayoukh are facing difficulties in Lebanon and are considering making the dangerous journey to Cyprus despite the risks involved. As tensions continue to rise in Lebanon and Cyprus, there is a pressing need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to address the refugee crisis and tackle the root causes of migration.
