Standing Hand in Hand with Beirut

Background during and after the implementation of the project;

Tuesday evening, the capital Beirut was shaken byhuge explosion at the seaport, which completely destroyed the port and damaged nearly 75,000 houses adjacent to the port. The port and surrounding neighborhoods are now a wasteland of devastated buildings and crushed vehicles. With smoke still rising at the blast site, rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of victims trapped underneath. Health officials said the blast killed 220 people and wounded about 6,500 and Hundreds of people have been left homeless.

The explosion occurred as Lebanon faces multiple crises, including an ongoing financial crisis (which had already increased the country’s poverty rate) and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which have been further exacerbated by the blast. According to a study on poverty released on August 19 by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), more than 55 percent of the country’s population is now trapped in poverty and struggling to secure basic necessities. Extreme poverty has increased, from 8% in 2019 to 23% in 2020. The poverty rate and vulnerability rates are expected to increase even more in the coming year, due to rising inflation and the impact of the explosions on incomes, food availability and prices.

Additionally, COVID-19 cases have doubled since the explosions. The country recorded its highest number of new daily infections on Friday, with 628 new cases and three deaths. Though many cases may be asymptomatic, there has been an increase in hospitalizations. In an effort to curb the spread, the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities approved a two-week lockdown that began on August 21. The shutdown allows relief and aid work in response to the explosion to continue, and the airport will remain open.

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

On the 5th of August 2020, Nabaa has developed an Urgent Appeal Aiming to encourage and support the most families whom are effected by Beirut explosion including Syrian refugees. Thanks to our partners GlobalGiving whom respond Rapidly to support the refugees families whom lost their jobs and can’t afford their daily basic needs.

The selected families targeted through this intervention, were chosen according to the recommendation of Municipalities, coordination with Local organization in the targeted area and through Naba’a community workers who conducted the participatory assessment. The criteria of selection families were as follows;

-          Big families with more than five members less than 18 years old.

-          Families who have infants lest than one year

-          Families whom their houses are effected by the explosion

-          Families who has elderly people

Food parcels were distributed to 350 Syrian Refugee e families affected in Khandaq Al Ghamik, Burj Hamoud, Nabaa and Karantina city.

The list of beneficiaries prepared by the team in coordination with the working group sectors and the municipalities aiming to avoid any duplication. The team communicated beneficiaries to receive the kit at allocated date and time.

Finally, the safety measures with regards to COVID 19 are taken into consideration during the distribution of the items.

In addition, different activities were held in the targeted areas, are as the followings;

-          Psychosocial Support for 220 children who are suffering from psychological problems.

-          Raising awareness sessions with parents hon how to communicate with their children in difficult circumstances.

Case study;

A profile on family’s life:

The wife lives with her husband and her three daughters, 9-7-5 years old, living on rent in a house consisted of two rooms only, the wife has many social, economic and psychological problems, due to low life standards and terrible economic situation. Also, the husband doesn't have a decent job because he suffers from cardiovesccular disease, which adversely affects the economic situation because the family depends on NGO’s asssiatnce; also the wife used to work for homes like cleaning, but after coronavirus outbreak, she was laid off from work, led to increasing anixety and overthinking about her family, especially her children. She is worried about her kids because the house is not safe and it's risky to live in, but she can't move out due to the low rent which is 250,000 L.L per month (approximate 50$ per month). So, she can afford it.

The family suffers from health and psychological disorders due to the economic downturn.

- Economic situation:

Under priviliged– Both parents don’t work, as we have mentioned earlier, they live on rent and don’t own a house, with no furntiure, no heating system, not even sheet covers due to difficult devastating financial instability. They recieve assistance, but not frequently.

- Health status:

Mother: No health issues.

Kids have trouble breathing and asthma.

- The problems that the family has:

Terrible economic situation. They can't afford life expenses such as: children's food, clothes, and sometimes there's no food to feed their children. It's negatively affecting family’s mental health.

- Sleeping disroders

- Nutrition diffculties

- Fear for children

- Anxiety and panic

- Data collection:

Collected information from mother during the individual sessions and home visits.

- Intervention:

• Transferred the family into the food aid section, where we provided her with food parcels for family's needs.

• Provided material assistance to meet family needs, especially children.

• Psychosocial support by integrating children in psychosocial support activities.

• Transferred mother’s case to a psychologist for a follow-up to alleviate anxiety, tension and to think positively

• Integrate mother into psychological support activities and awareness about how to cope with pressure and positive parenting

Recommendations:

• Follow-up through home visits.

 • Follow up with the family by a social worker

• Psychologist should follow up with mother

Links:

• Naba'a website