Back to Contents refugee camps, in particular, due to the absence of due process, where eight out of ten Palestinian children suffer from violence. (p. 3)” (Source : Najdeh Association, Development Action Without Borders (Naba’a), Palestinian Human Rights Organization (PHRO) et al, “UPR 2020: Palestinian Refugee Rights in Lebanon”, July 2020, p. 3) 7.4. Are Stateless Palestinian children exposed to exploitation and other types of harm such as physical violence, sexual abuse etc? In its Protection Monitoring Report for the 2nd quarter of the year 2022, UNRWA reported that: “Focal points in Tyre, Beqaa and the north reported that the prevalence of child labour was increasing as the summer school holidays began, and in response to the economic situation. Focal points in north and central areas noted that child labour was more common among Syrian refugees than Palestinians, but that some PRL and PRS have been involved. Common activities for child workers include collecting garbage and plastic, working in supermarkets, gasstations, and bakeries, or as mechanics and delivery-boys. Some were also said to be involved in organised criminal activity such as theft of public utility equipment like man-hole covers and the delivery of drugs. Children engaged in child labour include school drop-outs as well as some who work after school or during holidays. Focal points in Saida noted that the growing financial and psychosocial pressures on families, which are often manifested in increased child labour, are having effects on children’s performance at school and thus their future prospects. Child marriage was also mentioned as an ongoing concern in most areas though some focal points described it as more widespread amongst Syrian than Palestinian refugees. Among Palestinians, it is said to be more prevalent among PRS than PRL, except in Ein el Hilweh camp in Saida where both PRL and PRS were reported to be involved. Focal points in central Lebanon and Tyre areas speculated that rates of child marriage may be dropping due to families allocating scarce savings to basic needs rather than the costs associated with marriage.” (Source: UNRWA, “UNRWA Protection Monitoring Report – Quarter 2 (Q2) 2022”, 26 August 2022, pp. 7-8) In their “Syria, Lebanon and Jordan Emergency Appeal 2022, UNRWA wrote: “In Lebanon, UNRWA recorded the arrival of 409 PRS families from Syria during the first half of 2021, the highest number of arrivals since 2017. During the same period, PRS returns to Syria dropped. […] in Lebanon. As a result of the economic decline and COVID-19, the protection situation for many Palestine refugees has sharply deteriorated. Over the course of 2021, there has been an increase in interpersonal disputes escalating into violence in the camps as people have become more frustrated and desperate. Violence against women and children has continued to increase, closely linked to people’s mental well-being and their ability to constructively cope. Instances of conduct in breach of the rights of the child and human rights and humanitarian law have reportedly increased, including child labour, drug abuse amongst the youth and related participation of boys and girls in drug-distribution networks, as well as children’s involvement with armed groups.” (Source: UNRWA, “Syria, Lebanon and Jordan Emergency Appeal 2022”, 18 January 2022, p. 16 citing UNRWA Protection Quarterly Monitoring Reports, Q1 and Q2, 2021) UNRWA outlined also the involvement of children in drug distribution and transportation: “Substance abuse and involvement in often violent drug related networks is anecdotally reported as on the rise, in particular for adolescents, youth, and even children, with an increasing number resorting to the distribution or transportation of drugs. Data is limited on this growing phenomenon due to its sensitive nature.” (Source: UNRWA: “Protection brief: Palestine refugees living in Lebanon”, September 2020, p. 3) 7. Child protection 76