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Life through the eyes of a refugee: 500 children in Lebanon given cameras to document their plight Life through the eyes of a refugee: 500 children in Lebanon given cameras to document their plight
(4 months later)
Photographs taken by Syrian children in Lebanon have provided a remarkable insight into the country's refugee crisis.Photographs taken by Syrian children in Lebanon have provided a remarkable insight into the country's refugee crisis.
A total of 500 children aged between seven and 12 years old, displaced from Syria and living as refugees in Lebanon, were given disposable cameras to document their lives.A total of 500 children aged between seven and 12 years old, displaced from Syria and living as refugees in Lebanon, were given disposable cameras to document their lives.
Girls and boys stand together in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. They were photographed by Nahed, 10, from Aleppo. Unicef/Zakira  
An expanse of makeshift shelters is visible in an informal settlement in the Tal Serhoun area of the Bekaa Valley. The scene was photographed by Moussa, 12, from Aleppo Governorate, in the Syrian Arab Republic. Unicef/Zakira The non-governmental organisation Zakira, or “memory” in Arabic, visited 63 locations across Lebanon between October 2013 and July 2014, giving the children in each area basic photographic skills and camera training.  
 
The non-governmental organisation Zakira, or “memory” in Arabic, visited 63 locations across Lebanon between October 2013 and July 2014, giving the children in each area basic photographic skills and camera training.
The project, named “Lahza 2” and supported by Unicef, aimed to offer the children a form of "psychological support and catharsis through artistic expression".The project, named “Lahza 2” and supported by Unicef, aimed to offer the children a form of "psychological support and catharsis through artistic expression".
A child plays on a swing in an informal settlement in the village of Delhamiyeh in the Bekaa Valley. The child was photographed by Gharam, 12, from Homs. Unicef/Zakira  
Mohanad stands next to his family’­s makeshift shelter in an informal settlement in the town of Marjaayoun in Nabatieh Governorate. Mohanad was photographed by his older brother, Omar, 8, who made the image to serve as a reminder of their time in the settlement after the family returns to the Syrian Arab Republic.Unicef/Zakira “These photographs give us the extraordinary opportunity to see the lives of displaced children from the child’s view point,” said Unicef’s Representative Annamria Laurini.  
 
“These photographs give us the extraordinary opportunity to see the lives of displaced children from the child’s view point,” said Unicef’s Representative Annamria Laurini.
“We should see through the eyes of refugee children how they see their lives, their troubles and their aspirations.”“We should see through the eyes of refugee children how they see their lives, their troubles and their aspirations.”
Children use rocks and a tyre as stepping stones to cross a debris-filled body of water in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. They were photographed by Nour, 12, who is from Homs. The children are his friends. Unicef/Zakira  
A Syrian refugee girl smiles while standing in the snow in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. A boy walks nearby, while makeshift shelters are visible in the distance. The photograph was made by Hilal, 9, from Aleppo. Unicef/Zakira “The images speak for themselves,” said Ramzi Haidar, founder of Zakira. ”Children have a genuine way of seeing the world, and that is why these photographs are so moving”.  
 
“The images speak for themselves,” said Ramzi Haidar, founder of Zakira. ”Children have a genuine way of seeing the world, and that is why these photographs are so moving”.
As Syria reaches its fourth year of conflict, over 1,160,000 refugees have sought shelter in Lebanon, making it the country with the largest refugee population per capita in the world.As Syria reaches its fourth year of conflict, over 1,160,000 refugees have sought shelter in Lebanon, making it the country with the largest refugee population per capita in the world.
Nearly 620,000 of the displaced people in Lebanon are children.Nearly 620,000 of the displaced people in Lebanon are children.
Lebanon, a small country which had a population of just four million before the war broke in March 2011 in neighbouring Syria, has been overcome by its refugee crisis.Lebanon, a small country which had a population of just four million before the war broke in March 2011 in neighbouring Syria, has been overcome by its refugee crisis.
A Syrian refugee looks from the window of her tent shelter in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. She was photographed by Abdel, 11, a Syrian refugee. His shadow is visible on the side of the tent. Unicef/Zakira  
A man sits with two girls (his daughters) next to a fire while the girls’­ brothers stand nearby outside the family’s makeshift tent shelter in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. The ground outside the tent is muddy from rains, and some of the children are not wearing shoes. The family was photographed by Hani, 9, from Hama. Unicef/Zakira The government has not to set up formal camps like those in Turkey and Jordan, which provide refugees with plumbing, drinkable water, weather-proof shelters and regular electricity.  
 
The government has not to set up formal camps like those in Turkey and Jordan, which provide refugees with plumbing, drinkable water, weather-proof shelters and regular electricity.
Rather, refugees are spread out in poor, rural neighbourhoods throughout the country dependent on handouts from aid organisations.Rather, refugees are spread out in poor, rural neighbourhoods throughout the country dependent on handouts from aid organisations.
A woman and man stand with four of their children in their makeshift shelter in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. The shelter became damaged after placing a shoe in the stove caused a fire to break out. The couple and children are the family of Jasem, 7, a Syrian refugee, who photographed them. Unicef/Zakira  
A boy pushes a cart filled with items for sale in an informal settlement, in the Bekaa Valley. The children were photographed by Shadi, 12, from a rural area near Idlib. Unicef/Zakira The World Food Programme announced this summer that a lack of funding had forced it to cut the value of its food vouchers for Syrian refugees in Lebanon in half, to £9 a month.  
 
The World Food Programme announced this summer that a lack of funding had forced it to cut the value of its food vouchers for Syrian refugees in Lebanon in half, to £9 a month.
Only 30 per cent of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are able to go to school.Only 30 per cent of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are able to go to school.
Women and children attend a wedding in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. They were photographed by Ahmad, 12, from Raqqa. Unicef/Zakira  
A boy and a girl walk along a muddy, uneven ground between makeshift shelters in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. The scene was photographed by Omran, 11, from Homs. Unicef/Zakira The UN Refugee Agency said that Syrian refugees and the Lebanese in local communities most affected by the influx are “becoming increasingly vulnerable, despite the large-scale inter-agency response to date.”  
 
The UN Refugee Agency said that Syrian refugees and the Lebanese in local communities most affected by the influx are “becoming increasingly vulnerable, despite the large-scale inter-agency response to date.”
“An effective display of international solidarity and support is vital for Lebanon," the agency added.“An effective display of international solidarity and support is vital for Lebanon," the agency added.
"Failing this, the country's capacity to respond and withstand the Syria crisis will be severely tested.”"Failing this, the country's capacity to respond and withstand the Syria crisis will be severely tested.”
To help Unicef, you can visit this website.To help Unicef, you can visit this website.