Lebanon received a total of $1.9 billion in international funding to help the country cope with the impact of the neighboring Syrian conflict, the office of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon said Monday.
"The more protracted the crisis in Lebanon becomes, the more innovative and efficient have to be in order to genuinely make a difference," Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement issued by his office.
He praised the strong solidarity for Lebanon, calling for "longer-term responses that address the country’s security and socio-economic challenges."
The statement said that the $1.9 billion includes $1.57 billion given by donors in 2016 and $344 million carried over from 2015 by U.N. Agencies, the World Bank and NGOs.
It added that the data indicates the significant level of support for Lebanon in 2016 to fend off challenges imposed by the influx of Syrians in the country.
"We have to support Lebanon in reversing its economic decline by investing in key productive sectors, modernizing the country’s infrastructure and encouraging key structural reforms," Lazzarini said.
He said that such support would benefit Syrian refugees and the Lebanese.
The Lebanese government estimates that around 1.5 million Syrian refugees live in unofficial camps around the country in deteriorating economic conditions – which Lebanon was already suffering prior to the refugee crisis.
1.03 million Syrian refugees are registered with the UNHCR in Lebanon.
