Russia sent two Emergency Services planes to Lebanon this week to evacuate around 200 Russian citizens from Syria. Although Russia denied this was an evacuation, observers took this to be a sign that Russia believes Syrian President Bashar will soon lose power. With no end to the Syrian conflict in sight, Lebanon is bracing for what has become the "fastest-deteriorating humanitarian crisis on the planet," posing challenges to the country's stability and economy.

The UN humanitarian mission to Syria this week expressed its shock at the level of devastation. In Lebanon, many fear a similar scene should there be delays in delivering aid to the incoming families. In a country with limited resources and a precarious sectarian balance, the influx of refugees comes as a reminder to many of the ongoing Palestinian refugee crisis which has haunted Lebanon for decades. More than 400,000 Palestinian refugees reside in Lebanon, living in cramped, inadequate housing and under dire living conditions. The problem has not been adequately addressed due to concerns that "resettling" Palestinians will lead to their naturalization, thereby upsetting Lebanon's sectarian balance.

Lebanese officials are hopeful that with the right level of regional and international support, the temporary displacement of Syrians can be tackled. Lebanon has taken the brunt of the refugee crisis, as it continues to receive fleeing families, accepting more refugees per capita than its neighbors Jordan and Turkey.

By January 22, 2013, more than 221,000 displaced Syrians were registered in Lebanon. The actual numbers are expected to be much higher, as wealthier families do not typically register with the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR; it will surpass the 500,000 mark by June, according to some projections. Additionally, 200,000 Palestinians fleeing violence in Damascus also came to Lebanon, adding pressure on the already strained existing refugee camps.

While the Lebanese authorities, civil society, and family relatives are actively helping the refugees, the government's response leaves much to be desired. A report published in Lebanese daily Annahar last week revealed that the government had committed various violations of the refugees' rights, requesting that they be sent back to Syria despite their political opposition to the regime. Syrian dissidents have on more than one occasion been arrested and threatened. Only recently did the government sanction building official refugee tents to house them, but even those makeshift houses fall short of providing adequate shelter for the families.

Some politicians maintain that Lebanon must seal its borders with Syria in order to prevent a large-scale crisis, but most Lebanese have shunned those requests, expressing sympathy for the Syrians. The Lebanese people, once subject to the tyranny of the Syrian regime, seem to understand the plight of the Syrians.

All things considered, Lebanon's borders are still open, and the Lebanese are indeed offering aid to the refugees. The government is expected to request $270 million for refugee assistance at the donor conference to be held in Kuwait on January 30, 2013. This can go a long way in providing refugees with education, healthcare, shelter and shielding off a potential humanitarian crisis. The Lebanese leaders, however, must take advantage of the Kuwait summit to put together a strategic plan to tackle this issue. Without a comprehensive strategy and regional support, these challenges may grow to catastrophic proportions, risking stability and straining financial and security resources at a very delicate time for Lebanon.