The Role of Misinformation on Cash and Voucher Assistance for Social Cohesion in Lebanon
Cash & Market
The CAMEALEON Consortium engaged Key Aid Consulting to study the role of misinformation on Cash and Voucher Assistance for social cohesion in Lebanon. The study examines how misinformation influences various actors — refugees, host communities, beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries, policymakers, and implementing agencies—and its effects on their social interactions and behaviors. Focusing on neighborhoods in Baalbek-Hermel, Akkar, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon, the report considers the perspectives of refugees, host communities, and both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of assistance. Using qualitative methods and social media analysis, the findings highlight that misinformation often revolves around issues such as targeting biases, unfair competition, diversion strategies, and perceived political agendas. This misinformation spreads through social media, traditional media, and word-of-mouth, resulting in increased mistrust, incidents of violence, hate speech, and a heightened sense of fragmentation, which undermine social cohesion. The report also provides actionable recommendations to address these challenges and foster stronger community relationships.
Client
NRC
Countries
Lebanon