GENERAL OVERVIEW
The Bekaa valley region is administratively split into two governorates: Baalbek/Hermel (located in the north) and Bekaa (located in the south). Along the Bekaa region lies Lebanon’s largest official border crossing with Syria, located in the Masnaa locality. The sectarian composition of the Bekaa region is mixed: Baalbek/Hermel governorate hosts a predominantly Shiite majority with pockets of Christians and Sunnis; Bekaa governorate hosts a more diverse group of religious sects namely Christians, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze-- with no notable majority. Mostly rural, the region’s economy relies largely on agricultural production, with accordant employment concentration. 51 UN agencies and NGOs have a presence across the region. Regular inter-agency and sector coordination meetings are held in Zahle, located in Bekaa governorate.
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT (JULY 2015 - MAY 2016)
The situation along Bekaa’s north eastern border with Syria remains volatile. In the past nine months, security in Bekaa was shaped by the intensifying conflict in the Qalamoun border region in Syria and its spill over into northern Bekaa. Syrian Armed Forces and its allies have controlled Qalamoun since August 2015, however, Islamist Armed Opposition Groups (I/AOGs) remain present, particularly in the outskirts of Aarsal and Ras Baalbek on the Lebanese side. Attempts by armed groups on the Syrian side to conduct operations in Lebanon are regularly reported in the outskirts of Aarsal and Ras Baalbek, as well as heavy shelling and fighting between I/AOGs and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF); the latter are supported by Hezbollah to strengthen control over the border area. The high level of military activity in the outskirts of Aarsal have, at times, curtailed the free movement of civilian populations and compromised humanitarian activities. To date, neither civilians nor aid workers operating in Bekaa constitute the main targets of attacks or threats by armed groups operating in the region. Humanitarian activities and protection services continue to be regularly delivered, albeit subject to the evolving security situation.
Across the region, Lebanese authorities are widely present to address security concerns. Lebanese security actors are engaged in deterring and preventing extremism. The LAF has been engaged in ad hoc evictions of persons living in those Informal Settlements in proximity to military facilities and assets, and along vital supply routes. In 2015, 131 Informal Settlements were affected by eviction notices impacting 14,648 refugees who were forced to relocate from 75 sites; 39 entirely vacated and 36 vacated partially