The document outlines a strategy for CARE International in Lebanon to improve social cohesion and living conditions in Tripoli through community regeneration projects. It proposes initiatives to enhance livelihood opportunities, provide legal support to refugees, and make physical improvements and repairs to rented homes. The goal is to create better economic opportunities and living conditions for vulnerable Lebanese and refugee communities through community engagement, shelter upgrades, livelihood programs, and legal assistance for refugees.

1. A Strategy for Social Cohesion and
Stability in Tripoli, Lebanon
Initial feedback and strategy options for
CARE International in Lebanon
March 2015
Magnus Wolfe Murray

2. IMPACT: Social Stability in Lebanon
OUTCOME: Better living conditions and economic
opportunities for the most vulnerable people living in Tripoli
Community
regeneration
builds trust and
cooperation
Physical
Improvements
& Repairs to
rented homes
Legal & Admin
support accessed
by refugees
Enhanced
livelihoods
opportunities
O
U
T
P
U
T
S
INPUTS, Assumptions
o Improved
social cohesion
o Active
engagement
together
o Enhanced local
environment
o Vector control
o Reduced
disease burden
o Improved
psycho-social
status
o Increase family
income
o Local gardens
and food
production
o HLP assistance
o Landlord
negotiations
o Information
service
Local NGO & Govt. in
partnership

3. •Income opportunities
for all vulnerable
people
•Agriculture related
(permitted by GoL)
•Small gardens
programme
•Waste recycling
business
•Support to negotiate the
administration of
residency permits, etc.
•Liaison with NRC’s ICLA
team
•Support with contract
negotiations
•Information on available
options for
accommodation
•Address “low hanging fruit”
for community improvements
•Street lighting (solar)
•Solid waste disposal
•Regeneration of environment
• local repair teams &
LNGO
• NFIs (light, heat, etc.)
• Target both Lebanese
and refugees
• Careful on beneficiary
selection and
vulnerability criteria
Repairs and
upgrades to
shelters
Community
Regeneration
and Action
Initiatives
(CREATE)
Livelihoods
Legal
support
(refugees)

4. Holistic and mutually beneficial
Livelihoods
Community
engagement
shelter

5. Around 70,000 refugees live in Tripoli, most in rented
apartments. This one with serious leaks and damp

6. Most rented places have lots of little problems that can be fixed quite easily.
Like gaps around the window and roof that letter water in.

7. Here the toilet and kitchen are right beside each other, a
simple screen would provide more privacy & dignity.

8. As available housing to rent diminishes, garages and unsuitable
spaces are converted for renting. Simple improvements could
include ventilation, light, a stove and a chimney.

9. Damp and leakage in ceilings and walls – the cause of chronic
illness. Young children and elderly especially vulnerable.

10. Toilets are often broken, hand-washing not available.
These are low-cost, high-impact investments that
could improve the well being of the inhabitants.

11. Most toilets in good condition – but
hand-washing devices needed.

12. No windows to protect from rain and cold weather.

13. This Syrian refugee is already fixing many problems around the
neighbourhood. Combined with some local tradesmen they could form a
dual-nationality repair team to address the other shelter and public health
problems in the area.

14. Local NGO Lebanon Relief Council. Could have key role
facilitating dialogue and cooperation between Lebanese and
refugees communities.

15. Community regeneration projects? This disused site is a
good example for clean up, creation of an urban
garden, play area, etc.

16. Garbage & Rats or community garden and income
generation zone? The community must decide.

17. Maximise use of all available spaces; this could be a
highly productive fruit and vegetable plot.
Collaboration with local community & authorities is vital.

18. The front yard of Lebanese & Syrian dwellings. Currently a public
health hazard. Potentially a joint project to create a community space
for education, livelihoods, gardening or gatherings.

19. A refugee family that can’t afford to send the children to school. The
local NGO and local volunteers could collaborate on community
education project, using this space for learning. Or cleared up external
spaces.

20. Heating, solar lights: low-cost and
high-impact

21. The old market place in Tripoli. Bustling for centuries now quiet and
almost empty as 90% of food and products imported to Lebanon.
Investment in local food production and manufacture could provide
jobs and stability to the local economy.

22. Notes / related inputs
• Creating jobs and new livelihoods essential for
social stability in Tripoli, in Lebanon.
• UN and donors must advocate with Govt. of
Lebanon to allow Syrians and Lebanese to both
benefit from economic investment and new jobs.
• Good opportunity for CARE in Tripoli following
significant WASH infrastructure investments
• Strong reference to GoL / UN HC Lebanon Crisis
Response Plan 2015 - 2016

23. Programme considerations
• Low cost & high impact
• Lebanese and Syrian beneficiaries
• Municipality engagement
• Multi-year funding (at least 2 years)
• Collaboration with private sector / businesses