Mouneb Taim, Syrian

Throughout the Middle East, dozens of refugee and internally displaced person (IDP) camps and informal settlements have been set up for the millions of people fleeing from violent conflict. Often, these camps are created in makeshift conditions, with limited resources and under tight time and financial constraints. The environmental footprint of these camps can have serious consequences for local natural resources such as water, or create challenges around waste management.

The war and displacement generated dangerous social phenomena in northern Syria, including panhandling and picking through garbage, as most people suffer from poverty, while other families have lost their main providers. Numerous child beggars are seen in the streets and denied access to education and basic care, whether they live in the displaced camps or the cities and towns of northern Syria. Scores of women are seen lining the streets begging passengers and shop owners for money, which point to a wide-scale phenomenon that has turned into a profession in itself for some.