Provide meals for Syrian and Lebanese refugees

Lebanon and the Damour region in particular are going through a very difficult period. First of all because of the strong fires that devastated much of this area last October, where the families supported by Aleimar live.

The families have fled their homes to seek refuge in the Church. About two hours later the flames also reached the Church and all the people who took refuge there also had to escape from there.

The houses not reached by the flames remained open all night to give refuge to those who ran away. Being a small town, the inhabitants help each other, especially in emergency situations like this.

Nothing like this had ever happened in Damour, a country that surely experienced difficult times in the past because of the War, but for many children this experience was traumatic and will remain in their memory forever.

About 2 or 3 days after these incredible fires, demonstrations against the government also began, which developed very quickly becoming national in scope, asking for the government to be dismissed due to corruption. The rebels occupied the streets during the night and sometimes even during the day. Schools, banks and offices have been closed for weeks. 

The already unstable and precarious economic situation worsened very quickly. To date, for the first time in more than 20 years, the Lebanese Lira has lost a lot of value. All international wire transfers have been blocked and suppliers are no longer able to procure any type of goods to carry on the trade and the normal activities of the country.

All products, including basic necessities, have increased in price and many people have lost their jobs. Small businesses have fallen apart and the situation has become unsustainable in no time. The government eventually succumbed and resigned. They are currently trying to rebuild a new one, as people have been protesting for months now. The situation is critical, the Lebanese are preparing for the worst and are buying all the basic necessities that they are able to find to face the near future, they know that difficult times await them.

Our volunteers are doing the impossible, given the very limited availability of money to be withdrawn from the banks and the greatly increased cost of the raw materials needed to cook meals.
Now more than ever, our help is truly essential for these families who are raising their children in a country where nothing, not even bread, is taken for granted!

Our local partner "Oui pour la Vie" is doing a wonderful work in Damour, Lebanon, providing meals for Lebanese and Syrian refugees! 

“Oui pour la Vie” volunteers adopt a reverse course of action in helping those in need, knocking on doors instead of waiting for people to come knock on theirs. When they go to the poorest streets and houses, they work to meet the basic needs of people, such as the need for food, regardless of their nationality, class or religion.

Their work is fundamental in a context such as the one of Damour. In fact, given the Syran crisis, Lebanon is hosting an ever increasing number of refugees: UNHCR only has registered more than 1.2 million Syrian refugees being hosted in the country. As the crisis of the region continues, pressure grows and relationships between refugees and host communities change. There are clear signs that refugees are become more and more vulnerable. 

What's more is that in October, Lebanese people had to face an additional difficulty: wildfires. For a whole week, Lebanon was swept by catastrophic flames from out of control wildfires. It was estimated that more than 3000 acres of trees have been burned down. Some people even lost their lives while fighting the fires. 

This is why the work of Aleimar and Oui Pour la Vie is becoming absolutely vital and fundamental. Food is a basic necessity for everyone, and nobody should be ever be deprived of it! 

So thank you, from the bottom of our heart. It is thanks to you we have the chance to support all of these families in need. 

Links:

• https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/meals-for-all/