Lebanon

About the Situation

Lebanon, once prosperous, was hobbled by a 15-year civil war that cut its national output in half. After the war ended in 1990, Lebanon rebuilt much of its infrastructure, but political instability continued to take a heavy toll through 2008.

Since then, relative stability and a subsequent revival in tourism have helped the country grow economically. Still, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people are unable to meet their basic needs.

How Islamic Relief is Helping

Islamic Relief^TM began working in Lebanon in response to a humanitarian crisis caused by war in July 2006. As part of the emergency response effort, Islamic Relief distributed food, clean water, hygiene kits, sleeping mats and hot meals to thousands of displaced people all over Lebanon.

After the initial emergency phase, Islamic Relief began focusing on reconstruction efforts, such as hospital rehabilitation and water facility repairs. Islamic Relief maintained its presence after the war, providing services to war-affected individuals, distributing Ramadan and Udhiyah/Qurbani food parcels and launching the one-to-one orphan sponsorships program in the country.

Here are some current and recently completed programs in Lebanon:

• Azkar Akkar Education Sponsorship program
  More than 200 students in the town of Akkar—one of the most under-served regions in Lebanon—are receiving education sponsorships through this program. The program also works to improve the conditions of these children’s schools, enhancing libraries, supplying computer labs, and providing essential school materials. Through this project, students will learn to become engaged citizens—they’ll be equipped with the skills necessary to help improve living conditions for themselves and their communities, and giving them the opportunity to have a bright future.
• Orphan support
• Ramadan food distribution
• Udhiyah/Qurbani meat distribution

HOW YOU CAN HELP