This article describes a health needs assessment conducted in Lebanon and the development of a rapid and economical method of eliciting and comparing the health needs, as perceived by Palestinian refugees, with the perception of their service providers. Questionnaires and focus groups were used for refugees from three refugee camps and semi-structured interviews were carried out with heads of six non-governmental organisations providing services. The results were informative but not necessarily representative of the entire refugee population in Lebanon. The services provided for the refugees are inadequate when compared with the needs as perceived by the refugees. There is a lack of communication between the service providers and the refugees. The refugees had mostly similar perceived needs with some variations. There is a need for international recognition of the unique situation of long term refugees.

Long term refugees Health needs assessment International recognition communication Service providers

health service priority journal refugee Article Palestine interview Lebanon health program public health