SUSPENDED

The rural life of Syrian refugees in Marjayoun in the middle of the Lebanese crisis

The political, financial and economic crisis that has hit Lebanon in recent months risks putting on knees the already fragile balance of the Syrian communities. This is the case of Marjayoun and the surrounding valleys, where about 5000 Syrian refugees live since the war broke out in Syria in March 2011, leaving their homes destroyed or occupied to seek shelter in Lebanon.
 In the south of the country, along the border that separates Lebanese territory from Israel and Syria, 860 families live in 74 informal camps.
Syrian refugees mostly live in small agglomerations made up of tents. The families are often numerous, with many children whose majority was born in Lebanon.
They live on agriculture, serving as laborers in the service of Lebanese landowners. The salary ranges from 4000 to 5000LL which, due to the constant downward changes in the exchange rate, is gradually losing purchasing power. They grow both fruits (watermelons, apricot peaches, grapes) and vegetables (cabbage, salad, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers) according to the seasons.
As reported by Avsi, one of the NGOs authorized to operate in the area and which is responsible for supporting the Syrian population in the educational and professional field, with a presence in 59 of the 74 informal camps present in Marjayoun, women, men and children are suffering the consequences of the heavy inflation that is hurting the country's economy. Since the revolution broke out in October 2018, the official exchange rate of 1$=8000 LL (variable every day) has been joined by a parallel market,
The absence of dollars in banks' reserves makes the withdrawal of cash very limited, which has been regulated at a maximum of $ 200/300 a week.
 The lack of cash makes it difficult for the owners of the Marjayoun Syrians to pay for the work done by the countryside owners, pushing families into a state of double or triple suspension: lack of work, home and citizenship for children. In addition to the perennial refugee status that has seen them deprived of their home and roots for years, there is also the lack of work in the middle of the winter season and the loss or absence of purchasing power, due precisely to the crisis that is affecting the Country.
The concept involves the use of nylon used to cover furniture during the move. I wanted accentuate the refugees status, the political and work suspension and the expectations, by Syrian refugees, to come back home.