Since Iraqi refugees began arriving in Lebanon in significant numbers in 1997, Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC) social workers have responded with a variety of types of assistance. Recently, although the crisis has abated somewhat, social workers began to notice a high number of children dropping out of school and working. Initially, the social work methodology provided counseling and assistance with education for identified cases. However, as the cost of living has been increasing dramatically in Lebanon just as job opportunities are decreasing, anecdotal evidence suggests that many refugees are using child labor as a livelihood coping mechanism. CLMC thus decided to undertake this study to approach the topic more systematically and scientifically.
As such, this research study set up with the following objectives:
- To document the prevalence of child labor among Iraqi refugees in Lebanon
- To understand child labor as a livelihood coping mechanism among Iraqi refugees in Lebanon
- To gain insights into the determinants of child labor and to gain insights into its e?ects on children
- To gain information for data-based decision-making which can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of further programs for Iraqi refugee children in Lebanon
