Medical care for vulnerable populations in Lebanon

 Dear friend, 

INSAN keeps working for the rights of refugees in Lebanon, providing psycho-social and medical support for adults and children, awareness raising activities for families, and educational and leisure activities for children. During the last couple of months, the challenges that refugees face in the camps have grown significantly. The economic situation in Lebanon, which has deteriorated since the beginning of the revolution in October 2019, and the onset of the COVID-19 in early 2020, have affected the vulnerable refugee populations disproportionality. Few families were able to earn any money due to lack of access to jobs, and regulations hindering their employment, even before the crisis, but the current situation has led to a lack of livelihood even for those who previously were able to find work.

This has prompted us at INSAN to increase our efforts, and now also provide emergency food parcels. The food parcels include both basic necessities such as rice, oil and lentils to sustain these vulnerable families, but also hygiene products. With limited access to hygiene facilities and clean water, refugees in informal settlements are at risk of contracting infectious diseases and viruses, such as the COVID-19. Through providing the refugees with basic hygiene products, as well as awareness-raising sessions on how to stop the spread of the virus we hope to be able to contribute to the protection of these communities in these uncertain and frightening times. INSAN was until now able to distribute more than 50 food and hygiene boxes to the most underprivileged families in Beirut suburbs and in the Bekaa, as an attempt to lessen the burden on these families and help in their daily struggles. 

During the last three months, INSAN has reached approximately 2000 beneficiaries in 8 informal settlements; providing them psycho-social support and awareness on different issues by using phone, whatsapp, social media and other interactive methods from distance.

Our social workers continue to reach out in the communities to identify protection issues and refer cases to other organisations and institutions where needed. 

Thank you for supporting us and the vulnerable communities in Lebanon. 

Best regards, 

The INSAN-team