The Lebanese health ministry said the UN refugee agency UNHCR announced plans last week to halve its support for healthcare coverage provided to refugees in Lebanon -- mostly Syrian nationals.

A UNHCR delegation chaired by the organization's representative in Lebanon informed the country's outgoing health minister of the decision, according to the ministry.

Drastic decision due to reduced global funding

The Lebanese ministry announced the news during a visit to Beirut by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Over a million Syrian refugees have lived in Lebanon since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war more than ten years ago.

Meanwhile Lebanon, which has a population of some 5 million people, has been hit by the worst economic crisis in its history over the past five years.

The politician promised the Lebanese government 1 billion euros in aid over the next three years to help ease the financial crisis and the pressure caused by the presence of Syrian refugees.

According to the Lebanese ministry, the UN agency decided to reduce healthcare coverage due to "drastic budget cuts caused by crises across the world."

Private insurance not sustainable for refugees

The Lebanese ministry said the difference in medical expenses will be directly covered by Syrian refugees from now on.

Public healthcare in Lebanon has been near collapse for decades and private insurance companies have proliferated in the country.

However, not all sectors of society can afford private insurance -- Syrian refugees in particular.

Lebanon has not signed the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees and doesn't recognize Syrians who have fled their country since 2011 due to the ongoing war as refugees.