Populations - Forced migration in/out of Syria (political & environmental push factors) Flashcards
Changing populations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dc7G571nGVLPuNBHffUgx7JnBMMI6Z5tdm8p4KOQgBI/edit?tab=t.0 (23 cards)
What is the cause of major displacement in Syria?
Repression of the ruling Assad regime & the emergence of the Islamic fundamentalist group ISIS
How many people were displaced?
14M people since 2011 (2025)
How many internally displaced people are there in Syria?
7.4M since 2011 (2025)
What are the consequences for the neighbouring countries as a result of significant migration?
Most refugees are in need of aid for survival. Strain on the health and education services.
How many Syrian children did Lebanese schools have to provide places for?
4700,000. There are now more Syrian children than Lebanese children in the schools. (2023)
What fraction of Syrians make up the population of Lebanon?
1/4 of the population
What happeend in Syria between 2006 and 2011?
A severe dorught, worsened by climate change
What were the consequences of the drought? (2006-2011)
- Loss of agricultural livelihoods
- Massive internal displacement of ∼ 2M people
- urban overcrowding and increased social unrest - contributed to Syrian civil war
What did the US officials and the Pentagon label climate change? What does this show?
“threat multiplier”
warning of future conflicts over water and food & rise in climate refugees
MIgration is a direct result of the economic and survival crises resulting from climate impacts
What event took place in March 2011 that led to nationwide unrest?
In March 2011, Government fired on peaceful protestors, triggering nationwide unrest.
What event exacerbated the effect of the 2011 government crackdown?
chemical weapons by Assad on civilians prompted U.S. airstrikes.
What level of emergency did the UN classify the crisis as?
UN classified the crisis as Level 3 Emergency (highest).
What extremist group formed in 2014? What did they declare?
ISIS - declared a “caliphate”, fighting both sides
What began in 2015, on the side of Assad?
Russian airstrikes began in 2015 supporting Assad, to fight rebels
What were characteristics of the environmental effects that worsened the tension?
Crop failures, desertification, and livestock loss intensified social tensions.
What were the environmental impacts of the forced migration?
- Lebanon saw a 15.7% rise in solid waste (Lebanon Environmental Assessment, 2015).
- Untreated wastewater has polluted surface water, harmed fish, and contaminated crops.
- Deforestation from refugee shelters and firewood gathering.
- Soil erosion and water depletion near refugee settlements.
What were the social impacts on Lebanon?
- Population doubled in some Lebanese towns.
- Syrian refugees granted access to UNHCR-run health and education, creating resentment:
- Lebanese students sent home midday to make space for Syrians.
- Teacher shortages, language barriers, and increased dropout rates.
- Rise in social tension: Lebanese citizens report job loss and feel Syrian aid is unfair.
What other social impcts were there?
- Child labor and poor working conditions widespread.
- Security issues in camps (e.g. theft, assault).
- Family separation, military recruitment risk among youth.
How much in production cost was lost by 2015 due to the conflict?
Syrian war led to $275 billion in lost production by 2015.
How long does it take for every euro invested in a refugee to return 2 euros?
5 years
How much did taking in 500,000 refugeees cost Jordan?
Taking in 500,000 refugees from Syria has cost Jordan 800 million dollars.
How many percent growth in economy did the hosting countries observe?
Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey saw between a 2.5 - 4% increase
What politicl impacts were observed in Europe?
Rise of right-wing nationalism and anti-immigration sentiment across Europe.
