The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Konrad-AdenauerStiftung or its Lebanon Office.

The recent war between Hezbollah and Israel, which broke out in October 2023, devastated parts of Lebanon and displaced hundreds of thousands. In Ghobairy, a southern suburb of Beirut, many Lebanese returnees came back to damaged homes, only to face difficult conditions alongside Syrian refugees who had already been living there for years, particularly after the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011. The two communities now live in social and economic competition over resources, job opportunities, and services.

This article, which is based on a more detailed study, reflects on those tensions and explores how more inclusive policies could support both groups. The research was conducted based on 15 semi-structured key informant interviews with diverse stakeholders, including Syrian refugees, Lebanese who experienced internal displacement, business owners, local leaders and activists, as well as NGO representatives.

Among the key findings of this research are four primary sources of tension that shape everyday life in Ghobairy: competition over housing, employment, and aid, as well as challenges to social cohesion. Each of these areas reflects the deeper structural inequalities and post-war vulnerabilities experienced by both Syrian refugees and Lebanese returnees. The first and most visible of these is housing.

Housing Competition

The rising cost of rent is one of the most immediate and tangible sources of tension in Ghobairy. The influx of Syrian refugees has significantly increased the demand for rental housing, driving prices upward. Lebanese returnees, many of whom returned to damaged or uninhabitable homes, are often unable to secure affordable accommodation. This has generated resentment towards landlords who prefer tenants who can pay in US dollars and who are willing to accept crowded or substandard housing conditions. Without stronger housing regulations and targeted support, tensions over rent are likely to escalate further.

Employment Competition

Competition over jobs is another key source of friction between the two communities. Syrian refugees are mostly employed in informal work in the construction and service sectors. Employers often prefer hiring them, as they accept lower wages and longer hours without social security benefits — a dynamic that fuels resentment among Lebanese returnees. This is not a new phenomenon, prior to the Syrian war, numerous Syrians were employed in Lebanon as seasonal workers in agriculture and construction (Access Center for Human Rights, 2020; Turkmani and Hamade, 2020).

Lebanese returnees generally seek work in both formal and informal sectors, but often struggle to reintegrate after displacement, relying heavily on personal networks, political affiliations, or past connections. While most interviewed business owners recognized the essential role Syrian workers play in filling labor gaps — particularly in manual jobs that many Lebanese avoid — they also voiced concern about exploitative practices and declining wage standards. As employment opportunities shrink, frustration deepens, especially among returnees. In the absence of formal protection measures for both groups, these labor market pressures risk fueling further resentment and exploitation.

Disparity in Aid Provision

Another area of growing inequality and frustration in the Ghobairy greater area is the disparity in access to aid and humanitarian support. Lebanese returnees interviewed for this research expressed concern that Syrian refugees are receiving a disproportionate share of aid from international organizations. As one interviewed returnee puts it: “Relations are not good, we need them to go back to Syria. Everybody supports them and we are left alone without support to rebuild our apartment.” Meanwhile, local civil society activists working on refugee support projects have stressed the urgent need for a holistic humanitarian approach that includes both communities. Without better targeting and coordination, aid disparity risks further deepening divisions.

Social Cohesion

Despite tensions over housing, jobs, and aid, moments of cooperation and solidarity have also emerged between the two communities. Some Syrian and Lebanese communities have created informal systems of support, whereby neighbors help each other with childcare, employment, or money lending. Also, community programs and NGO interventions have facilitated dialogue and shared activities that foster social cohesion between Syrian refugees and Lebanese returnees.  One civil society activist interviewed mentioned: “We use joint vocational training and psychosocial workshops to foster mutual understanding and empathy.”

However, political affiliations influence public attitudes towards Syrian refugees, with public opinion towards refugees being shaped by Lebanese parties and media. Also, divergences in social conduct and norms have contributed to fueling tensions at times, with Lebanese returnees reporting transformations in neighborhood life, noise, and a sense of cultural alteration. Strengthening local dialogue and inclusive programming will be essential to help bridge these divides before they harden into long-term fractures.

Policy Recommendations

Local municipalities have a key role to play in addressing the housing and labor challenges experienced by its residents. Municipalities should keep an updated local register for both refugee housing and employment. Addressing the challenges of chronic housing instability, characterized by overcrowding and inadequate shelter, will necessitate interventions, such as rental assistance, infrastructure development in informal settlements, and legal protections for land tenure to minimize the risk of forced evictions.

Policies must focus on local initiatives that encourage community dialogue, social integration programs, and collaborative economic projects, in order to ease social tensions from competition over resources. Municipalities can serve as entry points for more inclusive and locally grounded solutions, when provided with the support and capacities. 

A needs-based approach should also be adopted by humanitarian organizations and NGOs that serve both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese populations. There is a need for inclusive programming (vocational training, psychosocial support), as well as the provision of educational support for children from both communities. Furthermore, coordination amongst humanitarian actors is essential to build trust and avoid duplication of efforts. Prioritizing responsiveness and fairness in aid delivery is critical to promoting coexistence.

However, without structural reforms, local interventions will remain limited in their long-term impact. Policymakers at the national level can play a key role in addressing the legal and structural gaps which fuel resentment, competition, and tensions. Addressing those gaps involves the regulation of informal labor to protect both groups, strengthening social safety nets that reach vulnerable Lebanese, and encouraging inclusive urban planning to prevent future tensions.

Lastly, international donors can play a role in supporting programs that strengthen social cohesion and economic resilience for both communities through funding labor and educational programs that serve both communities, encouraging investment in women’s employment and youth opportunities, and supporting municipal capacity building.

Along with improving local service delivery and promoting coexistence, policies must also acknowledge the longer-term need for enabling the safe, voluntary, and dignified return for refugees when conditions allow. This includes collaborating with international agencies to assess return conditions, offering legal and logistical support for those who choose to return, and ensuring that returns are not coerced. Supporting host communities must go hand-in-hand with efforts to address the root causes of displacement and uphold the rights of those affected.

To learn more about the topic, click here to check the related report.

References

Access Center for Human Rights. 2020. Unwrapping the rights to work for Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. https://www.achrights.org/en/2020/03/06/10560/

Turkmani, N., Hamade, K. 2020. Dynamics of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon’s Agricultural Sector. Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs. https://www.aub.edu.lb/ifi/Pages/publications/research_reports/2019-2020/20200215-dynamics-of-syrian-refugees-in-lebanon-agriculture-sector.aspx