Features of Smuggling in Wadi Khaled, Lebanon

Royce Hutson, Taylor Long

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Through survey research, we investigate the potential socio-economic impact of tighter Lebanese–Syrian border controls on the impoverished community of Wadi Khaled. We demonstrate that, given the lack of Lebanese infrastructure and meaningful development in the region, residents of Wadi Khaled rely on illegal cross-border traffic to meet basic needs, including the purchase of foodstuffs, building materials, medicine and fuel. Our survey revealed high levels of food insecurity and poverty and determined important socio-demographic associations with smuggling. One of the most closely associated characteristics with support for smuggling behaviour was one's religious background, which we believe to be a function of Lebanon's consociational political system. The wellbeing of Wadi Khaled residents, we argue, demands that any effort to combat smuggling entail improving social support for the community and facilitating access to Lebanese markets and infrastructure.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)385-413
Number of pages29
JournalConflict, Security and Development
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011
Externally publishedYes

EGS Disciplines

  • Social Work

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