Refugee Families affected by economic crisis

Background during and after the implementation of the project;

It became clear how fragile the health system was in most countries of the world, including those that were ranked advanced in various fields. The general situation in Lebanon is ominous, with political divisions, economic collapse, the debt payments of foreign debt and the great benefit in the face of the Corona epidemic. Lebanon has recorded 1946 cases of coronavirus (last update 10^th July 2020), which has caused 24 deaths in the country so far. The rates of commitment to prevent mixing and leaving houses vary from region to region where life seems very normal in most areas in terms of large numbers of people in the street and banks! The daily report shared by the Ministry of Health shows that the number of tests achieved until today reaches 10,808 while Lebanon is receiving 4 flights from outside including Lebanese students, special cases especially from the countries that categories as epidemic countries!

The population of Lebanon is around 5 million including 274.000 Palestinian refugees and around 950.000 Syrian refugees. during the spread of COIV – 19, the government has taken a safety measures including the block down ,but at the same time serving the Lebanese citizens without including refugees in its social fund that aims to encourage citizens to quarantine at home by them self .

The Syrian refugees are on the mandate of the UNHCR while the Palestinian refugees are exclusively served by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Lebanon hosts the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. UNHCR estimates approximately 1 million and half displaced people in need across the country and having a very strict restrictions on   entering the country since 2015, as well as hundreds of thousands of long-term Palestinian refugees and asylum-seekers.[1]

Lebanon is starting to ease lockdown-related restrictions after significant social pressure. The deterioration of the economic situation has accelerated and “hunger” protests take place, as labelled by the media. Refugees have been subject to additional municipal – level movement restrictions and are particularly affected by the lack of access of basic services. According to Action Against Hunger assessment done by 130 headed household person showed 88% of a large increase in requests for food assistance and cash assistance.

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

• Provision of 2000 Food parcel for the most marginalized Palestinian refugee families in six camps.
• Provision of 300 hygiene kits for the most marginalized refugee families
• Providing psychosocial support for 300 women and girls whom are at risk of violence and abuse
• Implementing recreational and non-formal activities for 260 dropped out of school children and 350 children inside schools.

Case Study;

Full Name: N.M.

Date of Birth: 1970

Gender: Female

Nationality: PRL

Address: Ein El Helwe Camp – own home

Family members: 0

A brief about the woman’s’ life:

The woman used to live in Tyr / Rashidieh camp, and after her marriage, she moved to Ein El Hilweh camp since 20 years ago. Three years after her marriage, her husband died as she gave birth to two daughters and raised them. The woman has been living alone for a long time; one of her daughters migrated with her husband for years outside the country and the other got married and moved to Tyr and currently she is living alone while her family resides in Tyr. The woman subsist herself as much as possible, sometimes her neighbors and relatives helped her in many things. The economic situation: her income is the simple amount of money which is being provided to her by her migrated daughter. Sometimes she used to work as a seamstress and sell, but she stopped about 5 years ago due to the severe back pain.

Health status:

The woman suffers from very excessive obesity, which impedes her movement, activity and self-reliance, in addition to chronic aches and back pain.

Social situation:

The woman’s relationship with her children: Despite her distance from her, her relationship with her daughters is very good and steady, and they are in constant contact with her over the phone, with some irregular visits. The woman’s relationship with the local community: The woman is very sociable as she likes to welcome the guests, and loves all people. This was very clear while we were talking to her, but her social life is confined to the home. As we’ve mentioned earlier, the woman suffers from excessive obesity and some health problems such as back pain.The problem faced by the elderly: The biggest problem in her life is the difficulty of her movement which greatly affects her social life and psychological state. Staying at home for a long time, where months may pass without having the opportunity to leave her house or seeing anyone other than the neighbors and relatives who visit her which in return make her feel helpless, loneliness and extreme boredom. Intervention:Psychological intervention and trying to provide her with psychological support is very important, although it will be a major challenge and will be met with refusal and lack of response in most cases. A Repetitive visit to her to know her condition and showing interest to her will have a positive impact on her and her response.

It is also very important to try to return part of self-confidence and self-esteem feeling through emphasizing her presence while involving her in the activities that will take place during the project and paying attention to her and appreciate her opinion.

[1]https://helprefugees.org/lebanon/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInc-TgeeY5AIVyLHtCh0qdgA_EAAYAyAAEgIaDPD_BwE

Background;  The recent deterioration of the socio-economic and political situation in Lebanon indicates that implications and other effects are much more difficult among the refugees community in Lebanon. It has become obvious that the political, economic and financial crisis that Lebanon is experiencing, has cast a shadow over all residents of Lebanon in general and especially on Palestinian refugees who are already suffering from hazardous and difficult situations. For the purpose of observing the details of how the Palestinians are suffering in the Palestinian Camps,Months ago, and before the decision that were taken by the minster of work that says all the foreigners that lives in Lebanon must have a permission to get a job, there was an economic and social crisis that hits the Palestinian camps. And based on a survey study by the American University of Beirut in coordination with UNRWA shows the following:

- 65% of the Palestinian refugees in addition to 90% of the Palestinian refugees from Syria live in Lebanon in poverty.

- 6% from these groups live in extreme poverty, and they did not have the ability to secure their living, from nutritive materials.

- According to the percentage of unemployment Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon, it is 23.2% and 52.5% the unemployment of Palestinian refugees that are coming from Syria.

Main Achievements; 

- Ensuring that people have access to adequate nutrient-rich food is essential for the protection , safety and health and welfare of refugees and other residents , in addition to that the right to be free from hunger and malnutrition reinforces international agreements , similar to enjoy the highest level of health and health care . Moreover, the objectives are to ensure the ability of people to obtain appropriate services, including food security which are included in the united nation global goals.

- Based on data analysis of the  families who benefited from the emergency intervention it turn out that 80 % of the breadwinners do not work as result of their dismissal from work , 87.81 % do not receive any assistance from anyone and 33.07% of them do not own homes so the resort to rent and are subject to eviction from their homes due to request of homeowners to pay in dollars and 64.38% of the beneficiaries have more than two children under the age of twelve and 64.38% have a disability .

- Intervened in accordance with its principle and strategic goals, which is always seeks to alleviate the suffering of refugees in Lebanon in accordance to international covenants and laws, and a commitment from NABA’A and funded by kinder not hilfe 1182 food kit were distributed included Palestinian camps in Saida and Tyre, Old Saida and Fouar, The food kit were distributed as follow:

• Rashdye Camp : 360 kit
• Ein El Hlwe Camp : 560 kit
• Buss Camp : 159 kit
• Old saida and Fouar : 103 kit

Case Study; 

Name:Z R

Age: 9 years’ old

Sex: female

Nationality: PRL

Phone number: 71-170524

Reason of referral: Medication and Educational Status

Case summary: Zahraa is suffering from a bad health condition since she has a vision problem as she needs an external artery in her head. The mentioned health issues have occurred due to certain circumstances during the time of her birth which in return affected her negatively and caused her to suffer from a mental retardation.

She lives with her poor family as she didn’t have the basic need she wants. Nonetheless, the medication for her health condition is considered very expensive knowing that her family doesn’t have the ability to cover all the medication expenses.

The school refused to involve her in the scholastic year, hence she dropped out of school. On the other hand, we’re working with her in our center since we aim to integrate her in a safe and educational environment.

Difficulties:

1-      She dropped out of school

2-      She is suffering from a severe health condition.

3-      She is suffering from vision problem.

4-      She is suffering from a mental retardation.

5-      The poor economic situation of her family

Intervention:

We’ve paid 200,000 Lebanese Lira to provide her with an eye-glasses and for Doctor examination to help her get the suitable medication. Add to this, we’ve communicated with the school to support her in returning back to it but they refused to do so.

It is worth to mention that, they’ve transferred her case to the ministry of education and higher education.

 Recommendations:

1-      Communication with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education about her case.

2-      Refer her to an Eye Care center in order to follow-up her case for free, since she is suffering from a vision problem.

3-      Involve her in ALP program in the center.

Links:

• Naba'a website