Refugees continue to pour into Lebanon seven months into the Syrian uprising.  Since March, approximately 3,800 Syrian refugees have crossed into Wadi Khaled, northern Lebanon's mountainous region. Both their safety and livelihood are threatened, and may not be considered a priority given the government's financial and political concerns.

The exact number of refugees is unknown - while almost 3,800 have registered the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, some speculate that close to 6,000 refugees have crossed into Lebanon. It is believed that over 1,000 refugees entered Lebanon in September alone. Countless more may be trapped at the Syrian border, unable to cross due to increased patrol by Syrian forces.

Increasingly, refugees are refusing to stay in the towns immediately on the Lebanon-Syria border due to reports of Syrian advances into Lebanon to recapture fleeing refugees. Instead, many head deeper into the mountains to seek shelter.

Despite successfully fleeing Syria, the refugees continue to face monumental challenges. While Lebanese citizens have been accommodating - many refugees stay with Lebanese families or friends, and town mayors have encouraged residents to shelter whoever they can - the refugees are struggling with harsh conditions and the fear of Syrian operatives within Lebanon. Wadi Khaled residents already face poverty themselves and cannot provide much for the Syrian refugees. This is a growing problem particularly as winter approaches, as many refugees brought little to nothing with them. Today they depend largely on supplies from the UN and other non-profit organizations.  Additionally, many refugees believe that Lebanon is infiltrated with Syrian agents due to the presence of Hezbollah in Lebanon's government. They fear that if found they would be forced to return to Syria to meet a horrible fate. Most refugees avoid walking outside alone, instead opting to hide in their temporary homes.

Over 900 of the registered refugees are between the ages of 4-17. All of them need schooling this winter. Lebanon's Education Ministry plans to register refugee children in school and the UNHRC plans to pay for the costs. However, this education opportunity for their children only exacerbates fear among adult refugees. They believe Lebanese students will discriminate against their children, who would also be susceptible to abduction by Syrian forces. These fears are enough to convince many refugee parents to keep their children out of school.

What appears to be genuine a effort by the Lebanese government to assist refugees (particularly that of the Education Ministry and the Social Affairs Ministry) have been rejected largely due to Syrian refugees' continuing fear for their security within Lebanon. Without question, the UNHRC continues to be the largest provider for refugees. The current situation begs the question: could the Lebanese government be doing more to provide aid and ease the refugee fears?