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IOM Member State since
Capital: Beirut
Population (2010): 4.3 million
Area: 10,452 sq km
Major Language: Arabic
Currency: Lebanese Pound or Lira (LBP)
GDP per Capita PPP (2007): USD 10,109
HDI Rank (2007): 83 of 182
Remittances (2008): USD 7,180 million
Net Migration Rate (2005-2010): -0.6 migrants /1,000 population
Immigrants (2010): 17.8%
Women as a Percentage of Immigrants (2010): 49.2%
Population under 15 (2010): 24.8%
Adult HIV Prevalence (2007): 0.1%
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Population Growth Rate (2010-2015): 0.79%
GNI Per Capita (2008): USD 10,880
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On the eve of the Civil War in 1975, it was evident that the demographic expansion of Beirut and its suburbs had occurred at the expense of the rest of the country. Between 1960 and 1975 the population of Greater Beirut increased almost threefold, from 450,000 to 1,250,000.
Two factors changed the demographic composition of Beirut in the 1970s. The first was the dramatic growth, starting in 1973, of labor emigration to the Persian Gulf countries. At one point, the outflow included about half the entire work force of Beirut. The second was the series of battles that engulfed the city in a ferocious war.
As for the levels of internal migration of various sectarian and ethnic groups at different times during the Civil War, three patterns can be discerned in terms of scope and duration: heavy migration, fast and temporary (the exodus from Beirut when it was besieged by the Israeli army in 1982); heavy migration, fast and permanent (the eviction of Palestinians and Shias from East Beirut in 1976 and the eviction of Christians from the Shuf Mountains in 1983); and the slow and intermittent migration of individuals and families.
More than twelve years of turmoil have resulted in considerable compulsory and voluntary displacement of ordinary people. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese left their country, some as permanent emigrants, others for what they hoped would be temporary exile.
The war of July 2006 had a devastating impact on the people of Lebanon and on the Lebanese social and economic fabric. The scope and scale of the destruction are massive, ranging from the direct loss of human lives to extensive damage to vital infrastructure. Since the cessation of hostilities an estimated 500,000 internally displaced people have returned to their areas of residence and an additional 150,000 individuals are reported to have returned from outside the country.
Following the outbreak of the recent conflict IOM received and acted upon requests for assistance with the voluntary return of third-country nationals, mostly women who had come to Lebanon as domestic workers. With the swift financial support provided by the European Union and the US State Department, IOM was able to evacuate over 13,000 migrant workers back to their countries of origin.
IOM continues to assist with all travel arrangements and airport exit procedures to refugees resettling to the United States of America (USA), Canada, Australia and Scandinavian countries including family reunification, in addition to the voluntary return of country nationals. These are funded through each respective government.
IOM has recently completed a one-month rapid assessment project on women domestic workers in Lebanon jointly with International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the US State Department.
Additionally, the Belgian, Australian and Qatari Governments have provided funding for rehabilitation, a capacity building, livelihood and psychosocial response initiatives, aiming at strengthening local capacities of conflict-affected populations to improve their self-reliance in dealing with their own post-conflict situation, especially of vulnerable community members.
| Main Projects |
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Evacuation of Third Country Nationals |
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Refugee Resettlement and Family Reunification |
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Capacity Building for Improved Self-Reliance of Conflict-Affected Communities in Lebanon |
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Post-Conflict Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Lebanon (with psychosocial component - see Migration Health) |
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Lebanon Emergency Project – Capacity Building of NGOs and Relief Assistance to Affected Populations |
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Capacity Building for Improved Self-Reliance of Conflict-Affected Communities in Lebanon |
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Government of Belgium |
IOM has recently received funding from the Government of Belgium in order to implement a psychosocial project. The project aims at responding to the needs of displaced and returnee populations in Lebanon who have been affected by the recent conflict. It will focus on directly providing socializing, recreational and counseling services to approximately 10,000 individuals, through different community-based, psychosocial, art-based and clinical approaches.
| Main Project |
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Post Conflict Psychosocial Assistance & Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Lebanon |
January 2010
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