Qualitative Perspectives on Safety and Security in Lebanese Urban Spaces, June 2024 | Lebanon

Context & Rationale

Since 2019, Lebanon has faced an escalating economic and humanitarian crisis that has profoundly impacted safety and security across the country. The severe economic collapse coupled with the devastating August 2020 Beirut blast and healthcare crisis has pushed over half the population into poverty.¹ This crisis transcends nationality, gender, or background, affecting both Lebanese citizens and non-Lebanese residents alike. The deterioration of job opportunities, quality of healthcare, reliable power, clean water, and basic necessities exacerbates the situation for all residents.² Consequently, safety and security have been compromised throughout the country due to an increase in incidents such as theft, domestic disputes, and heightened tensions between communities.

Data from the 2023 Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA), alongside a comparative analysis with 2022 findings, reveals shifts in the types and prevalence of safety and security concerns among different population groups in Lebanon. Among Among Lebanese households, 23% reported safety and security concerns for women in 2024, compared to 20% in 2022, while reports of concerns for men were at 25% in 2024, up from 20% in 2022.i Palestinian refugee households in Lebanon (PRL) reported higher levels of safety concerns, with 51% expressing concerns for men in 2024, compared to 37% in 2022, and concerns for women rising from 37% to 56% during the same period. While these figures suggest notable differences over time, no statistical tests were conducted to determine the significance of these changes. Live-out migrant households similarly noted significant upticks in safety concerns, particularly for women, which surged to 37% in 2023 from 21% in 2022.ii The primary safety concerns for women vary among population groups, with robbery being a top concern overall. However, specific risks such as kidnapping for women and girls among Palestinian refugees from Lebanon (PRL) households and sexual harassment among Lebanese were reported. On the other hand, being robbed was primarily reported as a safety concern among men across all population groups.

While quantitative data provides insights into the magnitude of safety and security concerns within the country, it falls short of fully capturing the practical experiences of affected populations. Significant gaps in literature persist, particularly in understanding the specific drivers, reasons and the broader context behind safety concerns and physical hazards within vulnerable communities in Lebanon. This research aims to bridge these gaps by conducting an in-depth exploration of the safety and security - including physical hazardsiii - experiences of affected populations within various neighborhoods throughout Lebanon. The study focuses on exploring the perceptions around these safety concerns, identifying their underlying causes, and assessing their impact on daily life. Additionally, the research seeks to comprehend how affected populations perceive and interact with humanitarian assistance. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to establish a foundational understanding that will guide the development of policies and interventions aimed at enhancing safety and

Key Messages

• Security issues in Lebanese neighborhoods are driven by economic instability, inadequate security oversight, and the erosion of public services and infrastructure. These issues contribute to a cycle of insecurity, hindering individuals, particularly those from vulnerable groups, from engaging in everyday activities such as accessing basic needs or resuming work and education. This environment may increase the likelihood of individuals resorting to unsustainable behaviors as a means of coping with their circumstances.

• Response actors, including humanitarian and governmental bodies, must address the root causes of insecurity, such as economic challenges, inadequate public services, and insufficient regulation enforcement, while also raising awareness. An integrated, multi-sectoral strategy is essential to effectively reduce security incidents and improve overall stability within the country.

• Aid distribution challenges, such as logistical and communication barriers, and lack of transparency in selection criteria, can heighten safety and security concerns. When assistance is not distributed fairly or efficiently, individuals are left without essential resources, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and potentially leading to actions that further compromise their safety and security.

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