Arsal Labour Market Assessment - ALMA

October 9, 2017

A comprehensive labour market assessment of Arsal, a conflict-ridden town in Lebanon on the border with Syria

The town of Arsal is situated in northeastern segment of the Baalbek district (Arabic: qada) of Lebanon’s Baalbek-Hermel governorate. Traditionally, its residents relied on pastoral and agricultural for their livelihoods. In more recent times, the people of Arsal have come to depend on other sectors such as smuggling, quarrying and retail. With the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, Arsal became a flashpoint in the conflict. At the same time, the town of around 30,000 residents now hosts some 40,000 to 50,000 Syrian refugees. After a relatively large offensive by the Lebanese Armed Forces in summer of 2017, Arsal fell under the full control of the Lebanese state. Yet after years of conflict, the economy of the town and and the livelihoods of both host community residents and Syrian refugees has ground to a near halt.

 

With relative calm now presiding over the area, the United Nations Development Programme commissioned Triangle to conduct a comprehensive Arsal Labour Market Assessment, or ALMA. The aim of ALMA is to fully comprehend feasible employment options in and around Arsal as well as contribute to the design of future livelihood interventions by the UNDP targeting vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees. Accordingly, ALMA focuses on mapping key economic activity venues, employment trends among Syrians and Lebanese residents, barriers to employment, opportunities to promote access to employment and income generation activities.

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Project:

Arsal Labour Market Assessment – ALMA

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Service type:

Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Policy Advisory

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