Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
The civil unrest that started in Syria March 2011 has become a widespread conflict, with violence escalating to the extent that the country is considered to be in a state of civil war. This has resulted in more than 100,000 Syrians have fled to Lebanon, and more are arriving every day.
In May 2011 the Danish Refugee Council launched an extensive program for Syrian refugees in Lebanon including shelter, protection, food distribution and distribution of non-food items such as blankets and hygiene kits.
Ghazal lives in a collective shelter in Lebanon after fleeing from Syria. The collective shelter has been renovated by the Danish Refugee Council and hosts 16 families. Ghazal receives food stamps and NFIs - non-food items - such as baby packages from the Danish Refugee Council.
In Mkablye the Danish Refugee Council and UNHCR has assisted in rehabilitating the local community Center. The center provides service to the local communities as well as Syrian refugees. The center has a kindergarten, a dentist, a surrounding park, and provides social counseling and vocational training.
Ali: “The soldiers came to our town, and I was beaten in front of my girls. They went into a shock, they still talk about it all the time - about the day their dad was beaten up and taken away ”. Ali and his family receive food and NFIs from DRC. They have also received blankets, mattresses and kitchen utensils.
As a measure to avoid aggressions toward refugees in already poor on ressources communities, DRC involves the communities and the local municipalities in so called QIPs – Quick Impact Projects. In Mkablye Lebanese locals and Syrians refugees built a playground for their children.
Majdoleen is 8 months pregnant and lives with her two children. Her husband is in the hospital. He was wounded in the civil war in Syria. Majdoleen receives food packages and NFIs from DRC. She is in contact with the DRC Outreach workers, who make family visits and provide psycho-social assistance.
Ahmad: ”It makes me happy, that I can be a part of making the home, we now live in, better. I have helped attaining tables and kitchen cabinets and putting up windows and doors.” Ahmad lives with his family in a collective shelter renovated by DRC. The family receives food stamps and NFIs from DRC.
Ahmads youngest daughter. Ahmad hopes to return to Syria with his family: ”Even though our needs are met, and we have met many people here, who helps us, I would still rather return to Syria. I hope, that the war will end, so that I can go home one day.”
"In Syria my sons and I lived far apart. But now, after fleeing from the war, the whole family live together here in Lebanon." Ahmad and his four sons and their families live in a collective shelter renovated by DRC. They receive aid from the Danish Refugee Council in form of both food aid and non-food items.
“I know that the war will end. I will not focus on death, I focus on my future. I want to learn sewing so I can teach in Syria.” Iman takes sewing classes in the local community center renovated by the Danish Refugee Council. A center providing service to the local communities as well as Syrian refugees.
"We fled from the bombs and the shooting and from the sight of corpses in the street." Ahmed and his family live in a two-room apartment. They receive food aid and non-food items from DRC. They are also in contact with the DRC Outreach Workers, who make family visits and provide psycho-social assistance.
Many Syrian refugees arriving in Lebanon have health problems, physical disabilities, mental health issues, out-of-school children and some have faced torture or violence. DRC Outreach workers make family visits, identify the special needs of a family and provide psycho-social assistance.
DRC distributes food parcels, blankets, mattresses, personal hygiene kits and baby kits including diapers and milk to Syrian refugee families in Lebanon. The distributions are announced through an SMS alert system. The refugees will receive a text message telling them when and where to be for the distribution.
“All the people I knew are dead. Even children the age of my youngest girl have had their throats cut”. Fatme is alone with her three children. She lost her husband who was part of the resistance. He was captured and executed. Fatme receives food packages and NFI (non-food items) packages from DRC.
The Danish Refugee Council is the largest partner to ECHO and UNHCR and has the biggest outreach capacity in Lebanon. Since the beginning of the crisis, DRC has assisted more than 70 000 persons with NFIs, more than 1000 persons in collective shelters, and more than 1000 individuals with special needs.
