The power of choice

Nearly one million refugees in Lebanon are living below the poverty line. Over half of Syrian refugee families are unable to meet survival needs on extremely low incomes of a little over HK$20 per person per day. UNHCR helps vulnerable refugees and communities in countries like Lebanon in three ways: by giving emergency cash assistance, providing lifesaving items, and insulating and repairing shelters.

Humanitarian cash assistance helps to restore dignity and enhance individual choice. Cash is flexible: refugee families can use it to buy fuel for heating units or to pay rent for a warm space, the same way that local communities do.

UNHCR has many years of experience using cash grants and vouchers to help refugees. It’s a cost-effective way for the organisation to protect and assist refugees in areas including health, education and livelihoods.