Three Organizations Fighting the Poverty Crisis in Lebanon
As the crises in Lebanon continue to mount, organizations are stepping in to mitigate the chaos.
According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), extreme poverty shot up 15 percent from 2019 with now 55 percent of the population struggling to pay for basic life essentials.
Recent financial mishandlings, wealth disparity, a refugee crisis in Syria, a COVID shutdown, and a massive explosion in Beirut piled up on Lebanon’s people in quick succession. International non-profits from around the world are now responding to help alleviate the crisis.
World Food Programme –
The World Food Programme (WFP), a branch of the United Nations dedicated to combating world hunger, has established a presence in Lebanon since 2012. Working in partnership with government authorities and the private sector, they gave food packages to more than 13,000 students’ families as a response to the COVID lockdown.
After many were left without homes in the aftermath of the Beirut explosions, WFP provided food assistance to 5,000 families that were in vulnerable conditions. In addition, meals were distributed to both victims of the explosion and to volunteers that responded to the blasts.
United Mission for Relief and Development –
United Mission for Relief and Development (UMF) also works to serve the nearly one third of Lebanese citizens living in poverty. Since coming in to assist Lebanon’s economic turmoil since October 2019, UMF has replaced home infrastructure and distributed food rations to those in need.
UMF is addressing the inflation and scarcity of basic goods in part due to the Beirut explosion. Hospitals and medical clinics need supplies and oftentimes cannot supply those resources on their own. The organization works to provide emergency medical kits for those affected by the recent tragedy.
American Near East Refugee Aid –
American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) turns its full attention towards serving the 1.7 million refugees from Syria and Palestinian territories living in the country. According to the UNHCR, Lebanon has more Syrian refugees per capita than anywhere else in the world.
These refugees must live in decades-old tent settlements and abandoned buildings due to their legal and social status. They also face pay discrimination and educational barriers, and Anera works to alleviate all these issues. Among other initiatives, the non-profit uses its donor base to improve waste management facilities and educate thousands of refugees with valuable skills to enter the job market.
Many other organizations are taking steps to improve conditions for the millions of impoverished people barely surviving in Lebanon. The most efficient way for people to help Lebanon is to donate to groups actively in the field amidst all the emergencies plaguing the nation.
