Lebanon’s shift from safe haven to hostile country for Syrian refugees

The person behind the campaign – a Lebanese art director – confirmed to the BBC that it was a personal initiative.

He felt he needed to do something about the “refugee crisis”, seen by many Lebanese as posing an existential threat to the country.

But regardless of who funds this campaign, its message echoes what has become a widespread narrative in the country – refugees are seen as “damaging” and the UN is partly responsible.

Contacted by the BBC, the UNHCR in Lebanon said: “There is no international conspiracy to keep Syrian refugees in Lebanon and there is no hidden agenda on this.

“We have always been very transparent on our position: The United Nations, including UNHCR, does not hinder the return of refugees to Syria.”

But some refugees have already decided to seek a life elsewhere. Cyprus, just a few hundred kilometres away across the Mediterranean Sea, has seen a 27-fold increase in the number of Syrian refugees coming from Lebanon, according to its ministry of interior.

Around a month ago, Alia and her children were among 35 people on a boat to the island, hoping to join her husband and fourth child who made the same illegal journey a year ago.

They made it to Cypriot waters but the coastguard forced their boat to return.

Despite all the risks that this trip entailed, Alia says she wasn’t afraid to take it, believing her children have no future in Lebanon.

“What could have happened?” she says. “We could have died. I am dead either way, here or there”.