Reports on Protect 120 Refugee Children and women from Syria

Project Report | Dec 23, 2022
Child Refugees left alone

By Hiba Hamzi | Program Coordinator

Recreational Activity

Background during and after the implementation of the project;

Lebanon’s political, economic, and social dynamics have a significant impact on the rights, health and overall wellbeing of the child within its territory. Despite the fact that Lebanon has reconstructed its government institutions, its health and social services, as well as its infrastructure to a large extent in recent decades, the country’s turbulent political history continues to impact the current unstable political climate, the poor governance, the socio-economic inequalities, as well as the treatment of refugee communities and other vulnerable groups. These underlying realities heavily influence the rights and wellbeing of the child in Lebanon, not solely when it comes to protection and the provision of adequate services, but further in terms of discrimination, violence, and safety. Comprehending the political history and ongoing political landscape in Lebanon is important whilst designing and implementing effective child-centered initiatives, programs and projects.

The ineffectuality of the country’s services increases economic disparities and vulnerability, and also further perpetuates families’ needs to resort to sending their children to work. With economic and financial stressors adding up, as well as the drastic devaluation in the Lebanese currency, poverty in Lebanon is likely to continue to worsen in 2021. UNESCWA estimates anticipate that as of 2021, more than 55% of the country's population trapped in poverty and struggling for bare necessities.[1]

Poverty in Lebanon is concerted in specific regions, primarily in Baalbek and surrounding villages of the Beqaa, as well as in Akkar in North Lebanon, and a number of heavily populated Beirut suburbs as urban-based poverty continues to be on the rise.[2] Based on ESCWA’s 2021 report, “Poverty in Lebanon: Impact of Multiple Shocks and Call for Solidarity,” women and children are mostly vulnerable to fluctuation in the accessibility of affordable social services.[3] As stated earlier, the majority of basic social services in Lebanon are privatized, including 90% of primary health care, over 50% of schools, and 30% of drinking water.[4] Moreover, due to the overall weakness of public services, a culture of clientelism based on partisan politics, personal connection, political, and sectarian affiliation governs the provision of social and welfare services to the general public.[5]

Naba’a Achievements; During the last period, The most highlighted achievements during the last period;

- We at Naba’a are doing all we can to help all affected communities during this extraordinary crisis. Our assistance efforts go to all: Lebanese, refugees and others who were affected without distinction. The devastating impact of the explosion is compounding the challenges currently faced by Lebanese and refugees and adding even more difficulties as families were struggling to survive with the economic crisis that was exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19.

- Naba’a provided cash assistance for 283 family distributed as 225 in Borj Hammoud and 58 in khandaa along with distributing disinfection / hygiene kits for 1050 families in Beirut and south. Where 150 families in Ein EL Helwi, El Buss, Burj Al shamali and Rachidie camps received hygiene kits in addition to 900 families in Beirut. As for food kits, 225 families in Mie and Mie area and Saida al Balad have provided with Food kits as well as 75 families in Ein El Helwe. Whereas, 306 families in Beirut have received food kits and distributed as 306 families in Khandaa in 900 in Borj Hammoud.

2200 parents and caregivers motivated to be engaged in their children learning and well-being.
Around 3020 Youth and adolescents (70% females) involved in the life skills program including different topics such as (Communication skills, leader ship skills, how to protect themselves from abuse, reproductive health, peer to peer, human rights, child rights, women rights, etc…).
Nabaa’ provided inclusive education for 3210 boys and girls of school age (6-12 years) in the Palestinian camps and Syrian gatherings in Lebanon (Tripoli, Saida, Tyre, Nabatieh) “In line with UNRWA's educational reform and MEHE curriculum to support the education of refugees children from Syria, Palestinians or Syrians.
Children and women have been targeted in psychosocial activities as the following, 3051 children (males and females)and 550 parents most of them are women, including, vulnerable Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian refugees. Whereas, in Borj Al Shamali camp 555 children (males and females and 220 parents including (Lebanese, Syrian Refugees and Palestinian refugees).
It is worthy to note that, two child friendly psychosocial spaces were established at two UNRWA clinics (one in Ein El Helweh and one in Wadi El Zeni), where 2350 children whom their families access UNRWA clinics participated and joined the activities in these spaces.

Case Study;

Code: R1
Date of birth: 2003
Nationality: Syrian
Sex: Female
Referred by: Social Worker
Reason for referral: self-harm, isolation, psychological stress
Risk level: High

I. The Social Status of the Beneficiary

Married

Divorced

Widow

X

Number of children

male

female

0

Notes: The beneficiary is currently married to someone else and has no children.

II. The educational level of the beneficiary

Illiterate Elementary Intermediate High school University

Professional/Technical

III. Economic and living situation of the beneficiary

Work: Unemployed Unstable Stable
Type of work: Stitching

Is he/she receiving financial assistance? No
Family income: good average low bad
Nature of the residence: Landlord Rent hosted tent
Number of rooms:2
Does anyone else live in the house with the family: Thebeneficiary and her husband live with her parents and her siblings

Additional Observations on the Living Situation of the Case:

The living and economic situation of the beneficiary is terrible as the family of 8 members live in a house consisting of only 2 rooms which lacks the basic home furnishings.

IV. Health/psychological situation:

Beneficiary

Family

Is there any impairment/disability (blindness, autism...)?

No

Are there any physical disabilities?

No

Are there any medications that the beneficiary takes on an ongoing basis?

No

Is there a previous psychological preview?

No

Is there a neuropathy?

No

Does the beneficiary undergo any type of drug abuse?

No

The method of spotting the case:

The beneficiary’s case was observed during her participation in awareness sessions, covering topics related to gender-based violence (GBV).

- Summary of the background/history of the beneficiary and the problems suffered from:

After observing the beneficiary’s situation through her participation in awareness sessions, she began talking openly about her situation among the Psycho Social Support group members (group of girls aged 14-20), where she talked about the consequences of early marriage that she faced and suffered from, as she was forcibly ordered by her father to marry a man when she was 15 years old. This early marriage shortly led to family problems and complications including constant insults to her by the husband's parents, leading her to divorce few months after her marriage.

Moreover, after her divorce, she received insults from her own family who considers divorce as a shame and a social defect, where the mother told her, "You are just a divorced girl and so you are with us to serve us."

All that has been addressed and said to her had led to the emergence of high-risk psychological symptoms.

Psychological and Social Symptoms Observed:

- Community isolation (spends days without communicating or meeting with a family or friend)

- Feelings of permanent sadness (most of the time)

- Constant crying

- Fear of facing people

- Loss of self-confidence and loss of trust in people

- Sleep disorders (insomnia)

- Eating disorders

- Nail biting

- Hair cutting (self-torture for revenge)

- Harming her body by cutting off her wrists and arms

Data Collection Method:

Data is collected through the psycho-social support sessions and awareness sessions given, as well as follow-up via the telephone and home visit.

Intervention and follow-up Methods:

Social intervention:

Integrate in PSS activities with groups of participants of her age to improve her social life and work on her social skills to remove "isolation" symptom

Awareness sessions about three main topics:

Topics

Aim of each topic

Early marriage

- know that ''Early Marriage" is a kind of violence

- Reasons of early marriage and its consequences on girls on different aspects (physical, psychological, social…)

- The role she can play as "Girl" to stop this Marriage

- Mechanisms to reduce early marriage

Gender-based violence

- The aim is to define the different kinds of violence

- Reasons and consequences of violence,

- Realize that gender inequality is the root cause of gender-based violence

- Stages of problem solving based on problem-solving and decision- making methodology.

Gender versus sex

- To aware about the equity and gender equality,

- Analyze the consequences of gender discrimination,

- To know the role of girls in promoting equal rights and responsibilities

Reproductive health sessions

Puberty

Ovarian cycle

Routine hygiene and care of the sensitive area

Psychosocial support sessions (SHE DEAL sessions) how to deal with risks,

Attending the PSS sessions allows her distinguish between positive and negative emotions and cognitions that follow each of the two kinds of emotions, also to let her know her internal and external resources to support them and shield lights on how to use them in daily life events positively to improve self-esteem and self-confidence

Art therapy sessions (fears and sources of strength, your position in society, expression of emotions)

Psychological intervention:

Number of psychological sessions :

Three sessions – weekly attending

Objectives:

- Refer to the psychiatrist (due to the presence of the following symptoms (eating and sleeping disorders, isolation, self-harming)

- Build confidential relationship with the psychologist

- High self- confidence, and self esteem

- Make her relationship with her friend(as an external resource) stronger to make her participate in different activities together in order to stop the social isolation

- Shed lights and support her internal resources (strength points) and how to use them in a right way

Recommendations:

- Follow-up meetings with the psychologist through individual sessions on a weekly basis

- Continue participating in the sessions that she had begun as a recommendation by the social worker and at the request of the beneficiary herself (awareness sessions, art therapy sessions, social psychological support sessions).

[1] ACT Alliance (2021), ACT Alliance Alert: Lebanon Crisis, Retrieved at: https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/act-alliance-alert-lebanon-crisis-16-march-2021

[2] ESCWA (2021), ESCWA warns: more than half of Lebanon’s population trapped in poverty, Retrieved at: https://www.unescwa.org/news/Lebanon-poverty-2020

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

[5] Stephen Deets (2018), Consociationalism, Clientelism, and Local Politics in Beirut: Between Civic and Sectarian Identities, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, Volume 24, Retrieved at: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Consociationalism%2C-Clientelism%2C-and-Local-Politics-Deets/1a6fcdddd5de3a24c1fd92c5eaf2d05bed353c58

Educational Activities

Life Skills

Outreach activities

Links:

Naba'a Website

Permalink

Jul 23, 2022
Lack of basic needs....Their sufferings continue..

By Hiba Hamzi | Program Coordinator

Women Leading

Background during and after the implementation of the project;

After conducting a field survey in the Bourj Hammoud area, the problems were identified and categorized as materialistic, social and psychological.

Materialistic problems: Before the explosion, the living and economic situation in Lebanon, in general and specifically, in Bourj Hammoud area already was not that good, and then the explosion occurred and caused the situation to deteriorate more. The losses were embodied by the destruction of homes, shops and private companies in addition to the inability of getting the basic needs for living (securing foodstuff ...) that were discovered through field and home visits by social workers in the Bourj Hammoud area, and this situation in turn has led to the emergence of many problems that fall under the social problems

Social problems: As a result of the materialistic losses that occurred in the region, the level of unemployment increased after the destruction of the work and livelihoods of the citizens, and thus led to the emergence of high cases below the poverty line.

In addition to the emergence of various cases of bullying, and violence that manifested in different forms between members of the society in general and the families specifically.

Psychological problems: all the factors that were previously mentioned, material and social problems, especially the explosion, which had a major role in the emergence of psychological problems and disorders for a large segment of the population of Burj Hammoud, which are manifested by the symptoms of several disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks ... Where it appeared on individuals of different ages, whether they were children, adults, or elderly, it affected everyone who was near to the explosion.

Naba’a Achievements; During the last period, The most highlighted achievements during the last period;

We at Naba’a are doing all we can to help all affected communities during this extraordinary crisis. Our assistance efforts go to all: Lebanese, refugees and others who were affected without distinction. The devastating impact of the explosion is compounding the challenges currently faced by Lebanese and refugees and adding even more difficulties as families were struggling to survive with the economic crisis that was exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19.

3240 parents and caregivers motivated to be engaged in their children learning and well-being.
The psychosocial support sessions focused on groups, as they were formed by referring service applicants who were visited in their homes, and the groups were divided into:

The women's groups, which included 75 women, were divided into 5 groups, 10 women within the each group. in these groups it also included 23 men. The following conducted activities were art therapy, psychological drama, psychological and social support activities, and parental therapy. Among 50 women 57 were referred for follow-up by a psychologist as part of individual psychological support sessions for each beneficiary.
The division of the groups of children's sessions were according to age (6-14):

-Art therapy sessions for children aged 6 to 10 years

- Psychosocial support "sessions for children "She deals or “I deal with awareness sessions for girls and boys from 11 to 14 years old

- Psychosocial support sessions for all age groups

100 children were targeted, divided into groups according to social and psychological needs. The psychologist referred 30 new children for individual follow-up.

It is worthy to note that, two child friendly psychosocial spaces were established at two UNRWA clinics (one in Ein El Helweh and one in Wadi El Zeni), where 2350 children whom their families access UNRWA clinics participated and joined the activities in these spaces.

Case Study;

Beneficiary profile

Code: R1
Date of birth: 2003
Nationality: Syrian
Sex: Female
Referred by: Social Worker
Reason for referral: self-harm, isolation, psychological stress
Risk level: High
Social status; Divorced

Notes: The beneficiary is currently married to someone else and has no children.

Economic and living situation of the beneficiary

Work: Unemployed Unstable Stable
Type of work: Stitching

Is he/she receiving financial assistance? No
Family income: good average low bad
Nature of the residence: Landlord Rent hosted tent
Number of rooms: 2
Does anyone else live in the house with the family: The beneficiary and her husband live with her parents and her siblings

Additional Observations on the Living Situation of the Case:

The living and economic situation of the beneficiary is terrible as the family of 8 members live in a house consisting of only 2 rooms which lacks the basic home furnishings.

Summary of the background/history of the beneficiary and the problems suffered from:

After observing the beneficiary’s situation through her participation in awareness sessions, she began talking openly about her situation among the Psycho Social Support group members (group of girls aged 14-20), where she talked about the consequences of early marriage that she faced and suffered from, as she was forcibly ordered by her father to marry a man when she was 15 years old. This early marriage shortly led to family problems and complications including constant insults to her by the husband's parents, leading her to divorce few months after her marriage.

Moreover, after her divorce, she received insults from her own family who considers divorce as a shame and a social defect, where the mother told her, "You are just a divorced girl and so you are with us to serve us."

All that has been addressed and said to her had led to the emergence of high-risk psychological symptoms.

Psychological and Social Symptoms Observed:

- Community isolation (spends days without communicating or meeting with a family or friend)

- Feelings of permanent sadness (most of the time)

- Constant crying

- Fear of facing people

- Loss of self-confidence and loss of trust in people

- Sleep disorders (insomnia)

- Eating disorders (anorexia)

- Nail biting

- Hair cutting (self-torture for revenge)

- Harming her body by cutting off her wrists and arms

Data Collection Method:

Data is collected through the psycho-social support sessions and awareness sessions given, as well as follow-up via the telephone and home visit.

Intervention and follow-up Methods:

Intervention was conducted in the following ways:

Awareness sessions (early marriage, gender-based violence, gender versus sex)
Psychosocial support sessions (SHE DEAL), how to deal with risks
Art therapy sessions (your strengths and weaknesses, fears and sources of strength, your position in society, expression of emotions)
Referral to the psychologist for follow-up

Recommendations:

- Follow-up meetings with the psychologist through individual sessions on a weekly basis

- Continue participating in the sessions that she had begun as a recommendation by the social worker and at the request of the beneficiary herself (awareness sessions, art therapy sessions, social psychological support sessions).

Activities

Peer to Peer

Recreational Activities

Links:

Naba'a Website

Permalink

Jul 4, 2022
More needs and priorities for children and women

By Hiba Hamzi | Program Coordinator

Recreational Activity

Background during and after the implementation of the project;

After conducting a field survey in the Bourj Hammoud area, the problems were identified and categorized as materialistic, social and psychological.

Materialistic problems: Before the explosion, the living and economic situation in Lebanon, in general and specifically, in Bourj Hammoud area already was not that good, and then the explosion occurred and caused the situation to deteriorate more. The losses were embodied by the destruction of homes, shops and private companies in addition to the inability of getting the basic needs for living (securing foodstuff ...) that were discovered through field and home visits by social workers in the Bourj Hammoud area, and this situation in turn has led to the emergence of many problems that fall under the social problems

Social problems: As a result of the materialistic losses that occurred in the region, the level of unemployment increased after the destruction of the work and livelihoods of the citizens, and thus led to the emergence of high cases below the poverty line.

In addition to the emergence of various cases of bullying, and violence that manifested in different forms between members of the society in general and the families specifically.

Psychological problems: all the factors that were previously mentioned, material and social problems, especially the explosion, which had a major role in the emergence of psychological problems and disorders for a large segment of the population of Burj Hammoud, which are manifested by the symptoms of several disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks ... Where it appeared on individuals of different ages, whether they were children, adults, or elderly, it affected everyone who was near to the explosion.

Naba’a Achievements; During the last period, The most highlighted achievements during the last period;

We at Naba’a are doing all we can to help all affected communities during this extraordinary crisis. Our assistance efforts go to all: Lebanese, refugees and others who were affected without distinction. The devastating impact of the explosion is compounding the challenges currently faced by Lebanese and refugees and adding even more difficulties as families were struggling to survive with the economic crisis that was exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19.

3240 parents and caregivers motivated to be engaged in their children learning and well-being.
The psychosocial support sessions focused on groups, as they were formed by referring service applicants who were visited in their homes, and the groups were divided into:

The women's groups, which included 75 women, were divided into 5 groups, 10 women within the each group. in these groups it also included 23 men. The following conducted activities were art therapy, psychological drama, psychological and social support activities, and parental therapy. Among 50 women 57 were referred for follow-up by a psychologist as part of individual psychological support sessions for each beneficiary.
The division of the groups of children's sessions were according to age (6-14):

-Art therapy sessions for children aged 6 to 10 years

- Psychosocial support "sessions for children "She deals or “I deal with awareness sessions for girls and boys from 11 to 14 years old

- Psychosocial support sessions for all age groups

100 children were targeted, divided into groups according to social and psychological needs. The psychologist referred 30 new children for individual follow-up.

It is worthy to note that, two child friendly psychosocial spaces were established at two UNRWA clinics (one in Ein El Helweh and one in Wadi El Zeni), where 2350 children whom their families access UNRWA clinics participated and joined the activities in these spaces.

Case Study;

Beneficiary profile

Code: R1
Date of birth: 2003
Nationality: Syrian
Sex: Female
Referred by: Social Worker
Reason for referral: self-harm, isolation, psychological stress
Risk level: High
Social status; Divorced

Notes: The beneficiary is currently married to someone else and has no children.

Economic and living situation of the beneficiary

Work: Unemployed Unstable Stable
Type of work: Stitching

Is he/she receiving financial assistance? No
Family income: good average low bad
Nature of the residence: Landlord Rent hosted tent
Number of rooms: 2
Does anyone else live in the house with the family: The beneficiary and her husband live with her parents and her siblings

Additional Observations on the Living Situation of the Case:

The living and economic situation of the beneficiary is terrible as the family of 8 members live in a house consisting of only 2 rooms which lacks the basic home furnishings.

Summary of the background/history of the beneficiary and the problems suffered from:

After observing the beneficiary’s situation through her participation in awareness sessions, she began talking openly about her situation among the Psycho Social Support group members (group of girls aged 14-20), where she talked about the consequences of early marriage that she faced and suffered from, as she was forcibly ordered by her father to marry a man when she was 15 years old. This early marriage shortly led to family problems and complications including constant insults to her by the husband's parents, leading her to divorce few months after her marriage.

Moreover, after her divorce, she received insults from her own family who considers divorce as a shame and a social defect, where the mother told her, "You are just a divorced girl and so you are with us to serve us."

All that has been addressed and said to her had led to the emergence of high-risk psychological symptoms.

Psychological and Social Symptoms Observed:

- Community isolation (spends days without communicating or meeting with a family or friend)

- Feelings of permanent sadness (most of the time)

- Constant crying

- Fear of facing people

- Loss of self-confidence and loss of trust in people

- Sleep disorders (insomnia)

- Eating disorders (anorexia)

- Nail biting

- Hair cutting (self-torture for revenge)

- Harming her body by cutting off her wrists and arms

Data Collection Method:

Data is collected through the psycho-social support sessions and awareness sessions given, as well as follow-up via the telephone and home visit.

Intervention and follow-up Methods:

Intervention was conducted in the following ways:

Awareness sessions (early marriage, gender-based violence, gender versus sex)
Psychosocial support sessions (SHE DEAL), how to deal with risks
Art therapy sessions (your strengths and weaknesses, fears and sources of strength, your position in society, expression of emotions)
Referral to the psychologist for follow-up

Recommendations:

- Follow-up meetings with the psychologist through individual sessions on a weekly basis

- Continue participating in the sessions that she had begun as a recommendation by the social worker and at the request of the beneficiary herself (awareness sessions, art therapy sessions, social psychological support sessions).