LEBANON

COUNTRY CONTEXT

  • 20% of the Lebanese population are Syrian refugees (European Commission, 2020)
  • 1.6 million Syrian refugees, the highest number of refugees per capita in the world (European Commission, 2020)
  • 53% of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon are children (UNICEF, 2015)
  • 183 educational complexes were damaged or destroyed by the blasts, affecting more than 77,000 children and youth (UNICEF, 2020)
  • 100,000 children were directly impacted by the Beirut port explosion in Lebanon (UNICEF, 2020)
  • 50% of the children affected by explosions show signs of trauma (UNICEF, 2020)

AREAS OF INTERVENTION

KEY FIGURES

1986

we set up in the country

3

projects in 2020

5

partners

4 500

beneficiaries in 2020

OUR ACTIONS IN THE FIELD

Background information

Lebanon is a country in the Middle East, bordering Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south. The country has suffered through 15 years of civil war and 15 years of Syrian armed occupation, as well as several wars and invasions by the Israeli army. It is still struggling through disputes and is still immersed in socio-economic and political instability.

Around 1.9 million people living in Lebanon are refugees, mainly from the Syrian and Palestinian communities, making Lebanon the country with the highest refugee rate in the world. Half of the refugees in the country are children who are not in school, exposed to all kinds of abuse (corporal punishment, early marriage and pregnancy, psychological violence, forced labour, etc.). They are marginalised, and face higher risks of radicalisation. 65% of PRL (Palestinian refugees from Lebanon) and 90% of PRS (Palestinian refugees from Syria) live in poverty.

On 4 August 2020, two explosions occurred in the seaport of Beirut, killing over 180 people and injuring more than 6,000. The explosion destroyed several major hospitals, some 20 clinics and more than 120 schools. With services already stretched to the limit, compounded by the spread of Covid-19, there is now even more need for humanitarian aid in Lebanon.

Intervention objectives

Currently, Asmae provides financial and skilled support to our partners in 3 projects in Lebanon. We have multiple objectives in the fields of prevention and care for at-risk children, support through adolescence and the care of children with disabilities:

  • Help create and maintain a safe environment, reduce danger factors, and help reconstruct affected children’s identities;
  • Enable all children, without any discrimination, to live in a protective environment and participate in the evolution of Lebanese society, encouraging youth involvement;
  • Support the development of professional networks and child protection policies;
  • Improve socio-professional support and access by girls and boys to inclusive, quality early childhood services in order to improve their overall development.

OUR PROJECTS

Cap Jeunesse – Youth for change

Project start date: January 2021

Project duration: 3 years

Beneficiaries: Young people, 60% of whom are girls, and the communities living in the camps

Partners: 

  • Centre for Studies and Advice in Social Work (Centre d’Etudes et d’Appui conseil en Travail Social, CEATS);
  • Directorate for the Coordination and Promotion of Social Services of the Ministry of Women, National Solidarity and Humanitarian Action (Direction de la Coordination et de la Promotion des Services Sociaux du Ministère de le Femme de la Solidarité Nationale et de l’Action Humanitaire, DCPSS);
  • National Committee for the Prevention of Violence in Schools (Comité National de Prévention des Violences à l’Ecole, CNPVE).

The project: 

The main objectives of the project, which is part of the Cap Jeunesse programme, are to develop the potential of these young people to help them become citizens who bring about positive changes in their society. Together with its partners, Asmae trains professionals in participatory pedagogy and animation, as well as in psychosocial support. A youth protection awareness raising campaign is also being set up.

Financial partners:

The project is 60% funded by the French Development Agency. It is also financially supported by companies and foundations that are partners in Asmae’s work, as well as the generosity of our donors.

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Yalla for Work and Protection

Project start date: January 2022

Project duration: 3 years

Location: Beirut and Bourj Hammoud

Beneficiaries: Children and young people affected by the 4th August 2020 explosions, as well as their families

Partners: 

  • Naba’a;
  • Farah Social Fondation.

The project:

This project aims to improve the socio-economic situation and provide psychosocial support to young people affected by the 2020 Beirut explosions. The aim is to support and strengthen the organisational and technical capacities of two local organisations that support young people.

Beneficiaries receive vocational, entrepreneurial and life skills training. They also have access to protection services, as well as support in their job search. Awareness-raising activities are also carried out by young people and partners for community members.

Financial partners:

French Development Agency and Fondation de France.

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Inclusive Early Childhood Support

Project start date: 2022

Project duration: 3 years

Location: South Lebanon – Governorate of Tyre

Beneficiaries: Children from 0 to 6 years old

Partners: Imam Sadr Foundation (ISF)

The project:

This project aims to support early childhood development and improve children’s education, with a particular focus on inclusive education. 1,200 girls and boys from 0 to 6 years old are supported. The aim is to improve children’s and parents’ skills through different activities such as observation, exchange and coaching sessions. This is complemented by training up nursery and pre-school staff and running awareness-raising campaigns on the importance of access to inclusive early childhood services.

Financial partners: French Development Agency.

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