Syrian spillover

A Syrian woman cradles her young child whilst speaking to a Lebanese man outside a mosque in Ain Mreisseh, Beirut. 29/01/2013.

The number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon crossed 220,000 in January 2013. In a country with a population of just over 4 million the impact of the continued influx of refugees is huge – politically, socially, and demographically. The Lebanese government has requested $180 million annually from donors to pay for health, education, and social services for the displaced. By June the Lebanese government expects approximately 500,000 Syrians will have sought refuge in Lebanon while the UN estimates that 1 million Syrians will become refugees by mid-2013.

Sayyid, 16, from Idlib, takes a break from work in a mechanics in Bourj Hamoud, Beirut. He came to Beirut six months ago, his family remain in Syria. 31/01/2013.