Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committe

News Room

Palestinian Refugee

About LPDC

What We Do

LPDC Partners

Jousour

Youth

News Room

Palestinian Refugee

About LPDC

What We Do

LPDC Partners

Jousour

Bridges for Dialogue and return

News Room

Palestinian Refugee

About LPDC

What We Do

LPDC Partners

Jousour

Youth

UNRWA says schools across region set to open on time

Abeey Wesell

August 16, 2018

Why UNRWA’s refugee count is so high

Victoria Yan

January 07, 2018

Census puts Palestinian refugees at third of estimates

Victoria Yan

December 26, 2017

Lebanon conducts first-ever census of Palestinian refugees

Mahmoud Zayyat

December 26, 2017

ESCWA Report :Israeli Practices towards the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid: Palestine and the Israeli Occupation

March 16, 2017

Palestiniens au Liban : vers la fin de la guerre des chiffres Réfugiés

Maxime Pluvinet

February 06, 2017

Palestinian Refugee

Health Care

Health Care of the Palestinian refugee

Education

The Palestinian student in the Lebanese educational institutions

Labor

The Palestinian worker in the Lebanese labor market

Social Security

The benefit of the Palestinian refugee from the NSSF

Property Ownership

The Palestinian refugee and the Property Ownership

Associations

The Palestinian refugee and the civil work

LPDC Publications

Jousour Issue 6

This supplement, issued by the LPDC represents an array of opinions and perspectives on issues pertaining Palestinian refugees affairs in Lebanon.

Jousour Issue 5

This supplement, issued by the LPDC represents an array of opinions and perspectives on issues pertaining Palestinian refugees affairs in Lebanon.

Jousour Issue 4

This supplement, issued by the LPDC represents an array of opinions and perspectives on issues pertaining Palestinian refugees affairs in Lebanon.

Evolution of the total number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

Source: UNRWA

Statistics and Population Characteristics Responsible Parties

The Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee is an inter-ministerial agency established in 2005. It deals with the Palestinian refugees' affairs in Lebanon. The Committee serves as a focal point between the Palestinian refugees, and the local and international stakeholders, and provides policy recommendations to the Government of Lebanon (GoL), based on the national interests of the Lebanese people and the rights of Palestinian refugees to live in dignity and respect, until they are able to realize their right of return.

Stages and Evolution Lebanese Consensuses

Committee Structure

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

LPDC Chairman

Inter-Ministerial Committee

Ministry of Labour
Ministry of National Defense
Ministry of Public Health
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Social Affairs
Ministry of Interior And Municipalities

Technical Team

Project Manager
Legal Officer
Media Coordinator
Project Assistant

Political and Security situation

February

Assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri

April

Syrian withdrawal from Lebanese territory

July

Government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora

LPDC Developments

September

The Council of Ministers authorizes Prime Minister to form a “Lebanese Working Group on Palestinian refugees” in Lebanon

November

Creation of the inter-ministerial committee

November

Creation of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC) and definition of its basic principles and tasks

November

Appointment of Ambassador Khalil Makkawi as Chairman of LPDC

Political and Security situation

May

The PLO opens a representative office in Lebanon

July

Lebanese National Dialogue’s decision to put an end to the presence of Palestinian weapons outside camps, and to regulate the security issues and Palestinian armed presence inside camps

July

Israel’s invasion (also known as the 2006 July war)

December

Open-ended sit in Riyad al-Sulh

LPDC Developments

March

A Lebanese ministerial delegation tours various Palestinian camps and closely examines their situation, in a first official attempt (in 58 years) to offer social and humanitarian services for refugees.

May

Launching of the Camp Improvement Initiative (I)

July

- The return of travel documents (Minister of Interior and Municipalities’ decision no. 1951 to end the practice of withdrawing Lebanese residency rights from Palestinian refugees who secure foreign or Lebanese citizenships)

- Recognition of the Palestinian Authority Passport

Political and Security situation

May

Eruption of the Nahr El Bared war between the terrorist organization Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)

August

End of the Nahr El Bared war, resulting in the complete destruction of the camp and the displacement of its inhabitants

November

End of President Emile Lahoud’s tenure

LPDC Developments

June

Initial donor meeting for the humanitarian emergency relief and the reconstruction of NBC is held at the Grand Serail

Political and Security situation

January

At the initiative of President Mahmoud Abbas, the representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Lebanon Abbas Zaki launches the “Palestine Declaration in Lebanon”

May

2008 conflict between Lebanese political factions

May

Doha Agreement is held to reconcile the Lebanese political parties

May

Election of Michel Sleiman as President of the Republic of Lebanon

July

Government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora

LPDC Developments

February

Launching of the preliminary master plan for NBC

May

Decision to issue SIC (Special ID Cards) undocumented Palestinians

June

Launching of Vienna’s international donor conference, after the government’s pledge to reconstruct NBC and mobilize funding from donor countries

November

Establishment of a follow-up committee for the networking initiatives for Lebanese and Palestinian non- governmental organizations

Political and Security situation

June

For the very first time, Candidates for the Parliamentary elections include the Palestinian file within their campaign

November

Government of Prime Minister Saad-eddine Al-Hariri

LPDC Developments

January

Launching of the Camp Improvement Initiative (II)

April

Launching of the conflict prevention and peace building project in North Lebanon

November

Appointment of Me. Maya Majzoub as chairman of LPDC

Political and Security situation

February

Minister of Labor Boutros Harb’s Decision no. 1/10 on the professions confined to Lebanese citizens and excluding Palestinian refugees

August

Amendment of Labor law and Social Security Law

LPDC Developments

June

LPDC “Vision and Future” conference

August

Workshop on “Palestinians’ right to work … between reality and the law”

October

AUB’s Publication of a report titled: “From relief works to Human development: UNRWA and the Palestinian refugees after 60 years”

October

Regional conference on undocumented Palestinians (Non-IDs)

November

Formation of NBC working group

Political and Security situation

March

Shura council rejects the decision of the minister of Labor no. 433/3

March

Eruption of the Syrian crisis

May

Inauguration of the Embassy of Palestine in Lebanon

May

NSSF issues Informational Memorandum no. 437

June

Government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati

August

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meets with President Sleiman in Lebanon. Both stress Lebanon’s sovereignty over its territory, the full respect of the Lebanese laws and their full support to the international legitimacy decisions, the Palestine declaration, and the camp improvement initiatives.

September

Lebanon supports Palestine Application for UN membership

LPDC Developments

July

Publication of “The Rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review” report

July

Appointment of Ambassador Abdelmajid Kassir as chairman of LPDC

August

AUB’s publication of the study titled “The Socio-Economic Survey of Palestine Refugees in Lebanon” in collaboration with UNRWA

September

Delivery of first package in NBC

November

Recognition of Personal Status records issued by the Palestinian National Authority

Political and Security situation

January

GoL/ Ministry of Social Affairs and UNRWA sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the provision of services to Palestinian refugee camps

June

Problems and protests at NBC, resulting in the death of two young Palestinians

June

The Lebanese General Security and LPDC agree in cooperation with UNRWA to resume granting ID cards to undocumented Palestinians

LPDC Developments

February

Publication of the Directorate of Political Affairs and Refugees guidebook

March

Publication of the “Guide for Palestinian Students”

March

Publication of the study titled “Towards Sustainable Solutions for Improved Living Conditions of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon”

June

Appointment of Dr. Khaldoun el Charif as chairman of LPDC

July

Publication of a report on “Access to Basic Urban Services in the Adjacent Areas of Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon”

August

Delivery of the second package in NBC

November

Laying the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Muhajjarin neighborhood in NBC

November

Cancellation of the “entry permit” system previously adopted in NBC and release of the detainees

December

Launching of the National Action Plan for Human Rights, containing a whole section on the Palestinian refugee rights in Lebanon

Political and Security situation

September

A number of arrested Islamists involved in NBC conflict are brought to justice

LPDC Developments

April

Publication of a study on the amendments of the Social Security Law

August

Publication by LPDC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, publishes study on “Facilitating the registration of Palestinian Associations in Lebanon: A right for Palestinians and an obligation of the host country”

September

Launching of the “High Commission for the Palestinian Refugee Affairs” following a retreat, recommendations and workshops

Political and Security situation

January

Launching of the National Political Dialogue at the initiative of Speaker Nabih Berri

February

Government of Prime Minister Tammam Salam

May

GoL issues a decision preventing the entry of PRS

LPDC Developments

April

Appointment of former minister Dr. Hassan Mneymneh as chairman of LPDC

August

Launching of the “Gaza Support Campaign” from the Grand Serail

November

Issuance of a Circular regarding the formation of Palestinian associations

Political and Security situation

January

Following preliminary consultations led by Dr. Mneymneh, PM Salam launches the working group on the Palestinian refugee affairs in Lebanon

April

Crisis in Yarmouk camp and influx of Syrian and Palestinian displaced from Syria to Lebanon since 2013

June

Violent clashes between Fatah al-Islam and Jund al-Sham in Ain el-Hilweh camp

LPDC Developments

April

Delivery of the fourth package of buildings in NBC and the emergence of a funding shortfall for the reconstruction of the camp

June

Issuance by the working group of 5 Policy recommendations regarding work permits, Social Security contributions, institutionalized relations with UNRWA and a comprehensive census for Palestine refugees

Political and Security situation

What We Do

LPDC has identified five strategic outcomes that were developed during the first decade of its establishment. These outcomes are considered interdependent, and they contribute to common results at the outcome level. Thus, a failure to generate one outcome is likely to have a knock-on effect on other outcomes. Mainly, these outcomes are based on five intervention areas:

Governance

- LPDC institutional development

- Public policy development

Strategic planning

- Establishing the National Observatory for Palestinian Affairs

Capacity building

-Strengthening capacities of inline ministries mandated with Palestine refugees

Coordination and Networking

- LPDC plays a vital role in acting as the focal point for national and international partners, on issues regarding Palestinian refugees in camps and surrounding communities

Dialogue & Consensus building

- Cooperating with the research and dialogue platforms and forums, as well as cooperating with the Lebanese and Palestinian delegations involved in the Palestinian refugee issue in Lebanon, in a way that does not conflict with the LPDC strategy.