Refugee Families affected by economic crisis

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;

- Date of Birth: 2001

- Nationality: P / L

- Grade and school: X

- Interests: Driving a car

- Sex; Female

- The number of family members: 7

- Ranked among her brothers: 1

About the life of the child: the child lives in a very small house and her economic situation is bad, she is the oldest among her brothers. Her relationship with her father and brothers is very bad, as they are not listening to her opinion. As she mentioned his father is always angry and nervous which makes the family to live in a tension and frustrated life. The girl always complain about the situation of her family.

Economic situation :The economic situation is bad, the father is a farmer and they are living in a very small house. The father is always complaining about the income of the family which is not satisfied and affordable to buy their basic needs. The health situation: The girl suffers from allergic asthma

Social Situation;

-      The relation between the girl and her father is not good, as he is communicating with her in a very bad and violent ways.

-      The relation between the girl and her mother is good

-      The relation between the girl and her brothers is not good, she feels jealous from them, as they are free to do anything, which she is obeying the rules of the family.

The problem that the girl is suffering from: The girl is suffering from her bad relation with her family particularly with father and brothers, this effect badly on her academic levels and grades and her social life and relation with her friends.

Intervention;

1. One to One session2. Awareness sessions3. self-confidence and self esteem activities4. Breathing exercises to reduce tension Recommendations:1. Follow-up to the girl on a weekly basis2. Intensify activities and relaxation one to one session to reduce the psychological problems of the girl3. Engaging the girl in the voluntary activities within Naba’a programs

[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

Links:

• Naba'a Website