EXCLUSIVE: UNHCR confirms healthcare for Syrian refugees in Lebanon will end

The UN's agency for refugees (UNHCR) is set to cease healthcare coverage for around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon due to funding cuts, the agency has confirmed to The New Arab.

UNHCR told to The New Arab that the decision, which will come into effect in November, was made due to "limited donor funding from donor countries".

A delegation from the agency also informed Lebanon's Minister of Public Health Rakan Nasser Al-Din this week about the move, which could have a devastating impact on the 1.5 million Syrian refugees in the country, most of whom are already living below the poverty line, and the Lebanese state, which is already crippled by debt.

"Due to significant funding reductions, UNHCR will be forced to fully discontinue support to hospitalization costs for refugees by the end of 2025. This follows gradual reductions we had to implement in the health programme in recent years," UNHCR Lebanon spokesperson Lisa Abou Khaled said in a statement to The New Arab.

"We recognize the strain this will place on an already overburdened healthcare system and on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable refuges across the country. As communicated with the Ministry of Public Health, we remain committed to working collaboratively to advocate for additional resources and alternative solutions where possible."

UN agencies and NGOs in the region have been severely hit by US aid cuts since President Donald Trump came to office in January, with many groups cutting support to refugees and laying off staff.

Abou Khaled said that the agency has "no choice" but to end healthcare coverage, saying that UNHCR had been keeping Lebanon's health ministry informed about the funding predicament since last year. This year, the refugee agency operated with only 20 percent funding, she said.

"Despite these difficult and unprecedented times, UNHCR stands by its commitment to staying and delivering in Lebanon. We continue to advocate the donor community to stay the course and step up at this very critical juncture."

At present, UNHCR provides primary care, including medicines, to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, as well as hospital treatment.

Speaking on Wednesday, Lebanon's health minister emphasised the joint responsibility of states in solving the funding crisis, urging international support.

"The international community must not shirk its humanitarian responsibilities - responsibilities that Lebanon has not neglected toward non-citizens residing on its soil over the past 14 years, despite its ongoing financial, economic, and security crises," said Nasser Al-Din.

Syria's 14-year civil displacement of more than 14 million Syrians, 6.7 million of whom fled to neighbouring countries.

Since the fall of the Assad regime in December, tens of thousands have returned to Syria but most have not due to their homes being destroyed in bombing, general instability, and an economic crisis in the country.

Earlier this month UNHCR reported that nearly 37,000 Syrians had crossed into Lebanon, fleeing sectarian violence.