An Ethiopian who has lived in Lebanon for more than two decades, Jamal, aged 70, speaks Arabic with a near-native tongue.

But like many migrants, he had no idea that he was entitled to a COVID-19 vaccination under the nation’s inoculation drive, and that due to his age, he should be near the front of the queue.

“If I can get it, I definitely want it,” said Jamal, who asked not to give his full name, as he scanned an online platform for vaccine pre-registration late last week, before sinking back into his chair in disappointment.

While Lebanon’s partly World Bank-financed vaccine programme is open to migrants, an ID number is needed for registration - effectively excluding several hundred thousand migrants like Jamal who do not have their papers in order.