Syria 2

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A Syrian woman who fled to Lebanon to a , the shelter. The shelter has given her the woman and her children renewed hope. Through the Humanitarian Partnership Agreement, Australia is supporting Caritas Australia and Plan International Australia, and their local partners, to strengthen protection mechanisms for Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon, focusing with a focus on addressing sexual violence against women and girls.

 

 

Photo: Nikki Gamer,/ Catholic Relief Services

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Mayssa and her children outside the CRS-supported shelter for Syrian refugee women who are victims of sexual and gender-based violence. ..The ongoing Syrian civil war has led to the largest forced migration since World War II. More than half of the estimated 1.1 million Syrian refugees living in Lebanon are women and children. Beyond straining government resources, this influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon has created a need for additional support services that go beyond providing emergency relief. A particular area of need relates to the protection of vulnerable women from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Research indicates that as living conditions continue to deteriorate and resources become exhausted, Syrian refugees and impoverished host communities resort to negative coping strategies. Through Caritas Lebanon, CRS supports two shelters for SGBV victimsÑone for Syrian refugees and one for Iraqi refugees. CRS also provides SGBV victims with cash assistance, legal assistance and psychosocial support.

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A Syrian refugee family outside the Catholic Relief Services (CRS)-supported shelter for Syrian refugee women who are victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Photo by Nikki Gamer/CRS

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