UNHCR Lebanon halts primary health support for Syrian refugees amid funding shortfall

BEIRUT — The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Lebanon announced the cessation of primary health support for Syrian refugees, a decision expected to impact approximately 80,000 individuals directly.

Speaking to local media, Lisa Abou Khaled, spokesperson for UNHCR in Lebanon, attributed the decision to a significant decline in international funding, which has compelled the agency to scale back essential services.

Cash assistance programs are among the hardest hit. Abou Khaled revealed that aid for nearly 350,000 of the most vulnerable refugees has already been suspended. Without additional funding, another 200,000 people could lose access to this critical support by September.

Educational programs are also facing drastic reductions, particularly those targeting children outside the formal education system. At least 15,000 children are at risk of losing access to literacy and basic numeracy classes previously offered through specialized outreach initiatives.

Adding to the concern, the UNHCR’s capacity to deliver joint cash assistance with the World Food Programme has diminished by an estimated 65% since January, further limiting the agency’s ability to meet pressing needs.

Despite the grim outlook, Abou Khaled suggested that the current challenges might present a “positive opportunity” for some refugees to consider returning to Syria or at least to explore the possibility more earnestly.

The Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, long a politically and economically fraught issue, now enters an uncertain new phase as dwindling global aid converges with escalating humanitarian needs on the ground.