Crisis in Lebanon: Asmae remains mobilized alongside children, young people and communities

Since March 1, 2026, Lebanon has been experiencing a new escalation of violence, affecting the South, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Repeated bombings, security instability, and internal displacement are plunging many families into a situation of extreme vulnerability.

In this difficult context, Asmae reaffirms its commitment to children, youth, and families in Lebanon, adapting its actions and placing the safety of staff and beneficiaries at the heart of all its decisions.

A worrying situation for our teams and partners 

Our teams and local partners are safe, but deeply affected by the situation. 

• Movement is severely restricted; the team is operating under constrained conditions. 

• A colleague lost her apartment in an airstrike. 

• The emotional state of the teams remains a concern, amid stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. 

Staff safety remains our top priority and guides all our operational and communication decisions.

In the hardest-hit regions (Beirut, Bekaa), our activities with children and youth are temporarily suspended. Our partners on the ground are already mobilizing in shelters to support displaced families. 

Three key areas of intervention at the heart of Asmae’s response 

Despite the crisis, Asmae continues its work through three complementary projects tailored to the needs of young people and children in this unstable context.

1. Promoting social cohesion and economic integration: the BRIDGE project 

In a country marked by intercommunal tensions and economic collapse, BRIDGE supports 150 young Lebanese and Syrians from Beirut and the Bekaa Valley through key initiatives: 

• Intercommunal dialogue and peacebuilding, 

• Leadership and civic engagement, 

• Vocational training and entrepreneurship. 

These activities enable young people to prepare for their future, develop their skills, create employment opportunities, and strengthen ties between communities.

Currently suspended for security reasons, BRIDGE remains a key project for social reconstruction once the situation allows.

2. Rebuilding Children’s Mental Health After War: The PEACE 2 Project 

Although not yet launched, PEACE 2 is a vital response to the trauma caused by war. Designed to intervene in the post-conflict phase, it draws on all of Asmae’s expertise in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and child protection.

The program includes: 

• structured MHPSS sessions for 1,500 children to strengthen emotional regulation, resilience, and stress management; 

• a cycle of art therapy tailored to children who have experienced trauma; 

• parental support for 335 caregivers; 

• the establishment of a secure referral system (RIMS) for at-risk children; 

• training for 150 local professionals. 

At a time when psychosocial needs are skyrocketing, PEACE 2 will enable Asmae to be immediately operational as soon as conditions allow, to support the most affected children.

3. Ensuring educational continuity in safe zones: resumption of YFC2 activities in the North 

In the Tripoli region and the Nahr el-Bared camp, where the situation is relatively more stable, Asmae was able to resume its activities as early as March thanks to the YFC2 project. In particular, young people are returning to training programs at the CIS (Computer & Industrial Sciences College).

YFC2 offers: 

• certified vocational training (electronics, beauty/skincare, photography, culinary arts), 

• soft skills sessions (communication, leadership, conflict resolution), 

• an entrepreneurship track, 

• group psychosocial support, 

• internships and job placement opportunities already in place. 

This rapid recovery sends a strong signal of continuity and resilience to young people, families, and communities in the North.

A Steady Commitment Despite Uncertainty 

In a country facing a major humanitarian and security crisis, Asmae remains fully committed. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, in coordination with our partners on the ground and our local teams, in order to adapt our projects and ensure their safety.

Our mission remains the same:
to support children and young people toward a freer, more stable, and more dignified future—today and tomorrow.