The multidimensional burden of COVID-19 on Syrian refugees in Lebanon

What the EdTech Experience in Refugee Camps Can Teach Us in Times of School Closure. Blended Learning, Modular and Mobile Programs Are Key to Keeping Disadvantaged Learners in Education

“…As national governments turned to EdTech as an immediate response to COVID-19, in some cases providing digital devices and improved connectivity [8], it was hoped that children would continue learning by using online platforms at home [4]. Most evidently in remote areas and low-income countries this did not materialise [9,10]. COVID-19 has highlighted that for children living in poverty, school is more than a place of academic attainment.…”

The Impact of Brexit on Israel and Neighbouring Arab States in Times of the COVID-19 Crisis

“…The loss of jobs, lacking family support and diminishing UN funds led to the worsening of living conditions and increased poverty. The deprivation did not strike just the Lebanese population but particularly the large proportion of Syrian and Palestinian refugees living in the country, equivalent to 21.7 % and 6.7% of Lebanese total population respectively (Hajjar & Abu-Sittah, 2021). Lebanon has one of the highest refugee populations in the world with 209 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants in 2015.…”

“…Not only physical but also mental health problems increased significantly as a consequence of the combined effects of the pandemic, a collapsing economy and political turmoil (Salameh et al;Hajjar & Abu-Sittah, 2021). Higher stress and anxiety affected particularly younger adults, women, and persons with previous higher socio-economic status, having a family member with a chronic disease, fear of not getting access to treatment, fear of COVID-19, and physical violence at home.…”

A longitudinal study of mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Syrian refugees

“…Commentators have expressed concerns that refugees may be particularly susceptible to pandemic-related stressors because government initiatives may trigger traumatic memories of persecutory government activities, lockdowns may contribute to social isolation and loneliness, impacts on health services may impede access to mental health services, overcrowding may limit refugees’ capacity to follow social distancing, and they may be particularly vulnerable to economic downturns arising from the pandemic (Brickhill-Atkinson & Hauck, 2021 ; Rees & Fisher, 2020 ). In this context, multiple studies have indicated elevated rates of depression and anxiety in Middle Eastern countries hosting Syrian refugees during the pandemic, including Jordan (Al-Ajlouni et al, 2020 ; Naser et al, 2020 ) and Lebanon (Hajjar & Abu-Sittah, 2021 ). There is also initial evidence that refugees are experiencing marked anxiety and mood problems during the pandemic (Aragona et al, 2021 ; Hajjar & Abu-Sittah, 2021 ).…”

“…In this context, multiple studies have indicated elevated rates of depression and anxiety in Middle Eastern countries hosting Syrian refugees during the pandemic, including Jordan (Al-Ajlouni et al, 2020 ; Naser et al, 2020 ) and Lebanon (Hajjar & Abu-Sittah, 2021 ). There is also initial evidence that refugees are experiencing marked anxiety and mood problems during the pandemic (Aragona et al, 2021 ; Hajjar & Abu-Sittah, 2021 ).…”