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SYRIAN

CRISIS response:

ACTIVITY REPORT
NOV 2015/OCT 2016
Unfortunately, the European reaction to the refugee
crisis is a clear example of the long path that needs
paving in terms of solidarity between the South and
the North. Despite the fact that Lebanon, Jordan
and Turkey each welcome more than one million
Syrian refugees, European countries have struggled
to integrate even a few thousand refugees in their
countries. It is clear that these individuals didnt
come to Europe to obtain family allowances or unem-
ployment assistance; they didnt come to Europe to
steal local communities jobs or to dictate a partic-
ular way of life as a lot of right-wing Europeans
proclaim. As with Syrian refugees in Lebanon and
others countries, they are trying to flee war, to save
Dr. Kamel Mohanna their children, their families and also their lives.
President, Amel Association International Furthermore, most refugees are forced to live in
General Coordinator, Lebanese and Arab terrible conditions, with minimal security, in informal
NGOs Network
camps or in the street. In 2014, European Union
countries gave asylum to 184,665 refugees while
570,000 individuals sent an asylum request. C o n -
cerning France, they have welcomed 10000 Syrians
Editorial: refugees since 2011. Now where are these migrants
The Burden of Syria isnt Lebanons Alone who have been rejected by the European fortress?
What conditions are they living in? Whilst these
people are in need of emergency humanitarian
The Syrian conflict is a tragic example of commu-
assistance, Europe closes its borders.
nitarian hatred and the rise of extremism. The
worlds most powerful countries predicted that
It is therefore of vital importance to find a political
the Syrian crisis would be short. More than six
solution to the Syrian crisis to avoid more Syrian
years later, the situation in the field is still critical.
civilians and host communities falling into misery and
There are now more than ten million refugees
violence. It is also of capital importance that Euro-
and internally displaced from Syria and approximately
pean countries commit themselves to welcoming
260000 individuals have died due to the conflict.
refugees and permitting them to live in dignity the international community is still essential.
and security. Pope Francis words are particular-
ly relevant here: [states must] take appropri- Although the impact of the Syrian crisis affects the
ate measures to welcome and plainly inte- whole region, the country most affected is without
grate all those who, for [one] reason or anoth- doubt Lebanon. With a population of 4 million
er, search for a refuge far from their home. individuals, Lebanon is the country that has the
greatest concentration of refugees per capita
The solution to the Syrian refugee crisis must in the world (more than 40% of Lebanons
also include significant financial aid from the demographic mass), provoking an overwhelming
international community. The need for a pressure on public services as well as on the
development plan on the long term is countrys stability. Nearly 2 million Syrians, Iraqis and
undeniable. A plan like this must have multi- Palestinians refugees have found refuge in Lebanon.
annual financial engagements. Nevertheless, Such a proportion is the equivalent of 20 million
the commitments of donor countries during Syrians refugees arriving to French territory.
international conferences have a limited impact
if they are not followed by concrete actions Refugees have suffered constant impoverishment
and if these promises are not respected. in Lebanon since the beginning of the crisis: 70%
live under the poverty line and 90% are indebted
For example, the international community by an average of 842$ per household to cover their
engaged itself to donate $3,8 billion - in the basic needs (food and health mostly). As the crisis
context of the International Humanitarian enters its sixth year, it becomes more and more
pledging Conference for Syria organized in necessary to adopt a mid-term approach, espe-
Kuwait in March 2015 - of the $8,4 billion which cially focused on professional training and educa-
were considered necessary by UN agencies. tion. Associative actors must, in parallel to mid-term
However, such promises of donations had still interventions, carry on providing basic assistance
not been fulfilled in their totality while the interna- which is traditionally intended for the first months
tional community was preparing a new Pledg- of humanitarian intervention (distribution of food,
ing Conference in London in February 2016. emergency shelter, etc.). It is clear that we are facing
For Lebanon, as an example, the Lebanon a new situation in which the humanitarian and
Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) was largely under- development sectors need to be incorporated.
funded (less than half of the $2, 14 billion neces-
sary has been received). A financial effort from It is important to say that this receiving of refugees,
by host communities in Lebanon, is characterised dynamic society, with 3000 Lebanese NGOs
by an incredible generosity, especially within participating to the response to the Syrian crisis in
the unstable situation which haunts Lebanon: Lebanon. Among them, Amel Association
the presidential vacancy which came to an end International can be considered as a pioneer model
after more than two years of institutional dead- in a Lebanese context where division and sectar-
lock, the economic crisis which the country is ianism reign. Amel is committed to applying a
suffering from due to the closing of one of universal and non-confessional approach to
its key exportation routes, the investors loss respond to the needs of the most vulnerable
of confidence and the tourism decline; the population.
constant security threat, etc. In addition to the
1,5 million refugees present in 2016, there In fact, Amels intervention, implementing activi-
are 1,5 million vulnerable Lebanese now ties for vulnerable groups, without distinction
living under the poverty line as well as or discrimination, is crucial. In response to the
400000 Palestinians refugees from Lebanon Syrian crisis, Amel and its 800 volunteers and
and 45,000 Palestinians refugees from Syria employers have provided more than 1,600,000
whose situation has worsened over the services to affected populations through its 24
years. Their situation is very critical: 90% of centres and 6 mobile medical clinics. In this
Palestinians from Lebanon live under the framework, Amel is implementing projects linked
poverty line and 98% of them are dependent to health, mental health, education and child
on nancial aid from UNRWA. All in all, there welfare, as well as livelihood activities, to rural
are more than 3, 3 million people in Lebanon development and projects on gender and human
who require humanitarian assistance. rights.

In front of this explosive and dramatic situation, In the health sector, the economic impact engen-
there is a chronic disengagement of the Leba- dered by the Syrian crisis on the Lebanese system
nese State concerning the response to the is considerable. According to the World Bank, $177
emergency and covering basic needs. NGOs million would be necessary to reinstate the quality
are more essential than ever in offering primary of care to the same level that it was before the
services to individuals affected by the Syrian conflict. In addition, according to the LCRP, more
crisis, especially in key sectors, namely health, than 1.6 million individuals need humanitarian
education and professional training. assistance in the health sector, for a cost estimated
Lebanon has the chance to have a rich and at $209 million on an annual basis. To respond to
these challenges, Amels mobile medicals units and
primary health care centres bring basic health- and young women, andreinforcing heir livelihood.
services to the most marginalised places, to those
most affected by the Syrian crisis. Since the Since the beginning of the crisis, more than 52,000
beginning of the crisis, more than 750,000 children have participated in educational activities
health services have been provided to these in Amel centres, and more than 50,000 youth and
communities by Amel. women have followed sessions for professional
trainings in a range of sectors (computer
Education is also a sector with highly significant maintenance, mechanical, cooking, hairdresser and
and uncovered needs. All children have the cosmetic, etc.)
right to education. But for the 2015 - 2016
school year, only 155,095 school-aged
Syrian refugees have been registered in
formal education, which implies the exclu-
sion of 59% of this cohort of refugee com-
munities ( about 400000 children). There is
a growing risk of creating a lost generation,
particularly given the high birth rate noted
within refugee communities. Furthermore,
refugee and host community youth (15-25
years old) are among the first to suffer from
the impact of this crisis, with 34% of young
Lebanese already unemployed before the
crisis. Since 2011, this number hasnt stop
increasing, with the majority of young Syrian
refugees (including 86% of young women)
without access to a job. However, the
importance of youth in active life is essential
for our societies. In this context, Amel
is implementing a range of educational
programs throughout its centres of Beirut,
the Beqaa and South Lebanon, as well
as projects for professiona training, pro-
moting the empowerment of youth
TABLE
OF CONTENTS

06 About Amel
16 Child Protection

08 Executive Summary
18 Livelihood

10 Health
20 Partners

14 Education
about
AMEL

Amel Association International is a non-goverm- Beirut and Mount-Lebanon: Musseitbeh, Haret


nental, civil and no sectarian organization Hreik, Bachar Mohanna and Muslim Akil Center
established in 1979. Chiah, Ain el Remmaneh, Hay el Sallom and Bourj
el Brajneh
Through its 24 centers and 6 Mobile Medical
Units across Lebanon, Amel provides access to Bekaa: Ersal, El Ain, Shmestar, Kamed el Loz and
healthcare services and implements develop- Hajj Mahdi Saleh Eidi Center-Mashghara
ment programs targeting underprivileged
population, regardless of their nationality or South Lebanon: Tyre, Bazourieh, Halta, Khiam and
political and religious affiliations. Fardis

Amel Association International also aims to


strenghten the culture of right among citizens,
refugees and migrants and to promote access
to their rights and their involvement in public
life.

Amels community centers are located across


Lebanon.

The centers involved in our Syrian crisis response:


06
Musseitbeh.
Amel House of Human Rights.
Haret Hreik.
Bachar Mohanna & Muslim El Ain
Akil Center: Chyah.
Ain el Remaneh. Ersaal
Hay el Sellom.
Bourj el Barajneh.
Mucharrafieh. Shmestar

Beirut Dahiye
Kamed el Loz

Mashghara
Fardis

Ebl el Saqi
Tyre Halta

Khiam
Bazourieh
EXECUTIVE to populations in need, other actors bear the burden
of service provision on behalf of the Lebanese state,

SUMM A RY that has failed and weakened by sectarian divisions.


On the national scale, Syrian refugees are becoming
more and more dependent on humanitarian assis-
tance to survive on a daily basis. It is true that the
Since 2011, the war in Syria has caused over country has remained resilient despite the current
260 000 deaths and 1 000 000 injured. Half challenges, but public opinion grows weary of spill-
the population has been forced to flee the over effects from the Syrian conflict into the Leba-
war - torn country, ravaged by violence and nese civil society.
bombings. The country is destroyed, whole
towns have been ruined, road and water infra- It is in this context that Amel has provided over 1,5
structure severed, hospitals are in ruins and the million services to Syrian refugees, covering numer-
$60 billion economy is on its knees. After five ous fields such as health, protection, education and
years, Syrian refugees see their hopes of acquir- livelihood. Amel has also played a major part in
ing a political and social status abroad dimin- drawing up the Lebanese Crisis Response Plan
ishing, as access to education, employment 2015-2016 with the UNHCR which aims at, amongst
or health services is impossible both in Syria others things, providing humanitarian assistance
and in host countries. and protection to both Lebanese vulnerable
persons and displaced victims of the Syrian crisis.
Whilst delivering consistent assistance to victims This plan brings together multiple actors such as
of the Syrian crisis, Lebanon is facing severe the Government of Lebanon, national and inter-
challenges itself. Economic, demographic, social, national organizations which, with a budget amount-
security and political strains increase tensions ing to US$2.48 billion, strive to provide humani-
amongst the various communities living in the tarian assistance to all vulnerable individuals living
country. in Lebanon.

Furthermore, the total population residing in In line with our dedication to supporting the victims
Lebanon has grown by 30% in the course of the of the Syrian crisis, Amel was also present during the
past 6 years, of which 3,3 million require import- first UN Humanitarian Summit which took place in
ant assistance in covering their basic needs. Istanbul, Turkey, in May 2016. This Summit was
Because of its inability to provide quality services occasion for Amel to stress the importance of
08
coordinating local and international support It is important to stress that the Amel team doesnt
to refugees, and defending values such as work for a country, a political affiliation or a person,
impartiality and non-discrimination. The idea but works for the idea that all individuals are equal
of empowering affected communities to in terms of human rights and that humanity has to
engage them in the process of managing and be developed around the world.
responding to crises was also discussed.
Acting hand in hand with local actors who have In this report, we will therefore present the
a better knowledge of the field has become a projects and actions undertaken by Amel which
priority in humanitarian intervention. put into practice our guiding principles. We will
also give voice to our beneficiaries in order to
In this vein, through crisis and war, Amel pursues understand how our values have affected the lives
building a strong civil society, promoting civil of victims of the Syrian crisis.
rights and democracy and providing support
without discrimination.

Aware of our continuous humanitarian action


over the past 36 years and most recently our
work to improve the lives of Syrian refugees,
professor Georges Corm decided to present
Amel as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize
2016. Georges Corm, former Lebanese minister
and historian, highlighted Amel's non-confes-
sional, non-political ideals which allow the
NGO to create a real sense of community
even in the most remote regions of Lebanon.
Indeed, by refusing any form of discrimi-
nation, Amel's work all over the country is
strengthening social ties and empowering the
civil society as a whole.
HE ALTH

The Syrian war has put a huge strain on the


Lebanese health sector. With the constant
increase in population, access to adequate
services is becoming more and more compli-
cated. This lack of infrastructure has dramatic
consequences for displaced and vulnerable
individuals, as multiple assessments carried
out in 2015 show that health needs are not
decreasing. 30% of Syrian refugees declare
having at least one member of their family
requiring special medical care. 40% of displaced
Syrians suffer from communicable diseases
whilst 9% display serious injuries. If the course
of war has stopped immunizations activities
in Syria, the risk of disease outbreaks in Leba-
non are doubled by the poor living conditions
in which displaced persons often find
themselves.
10
Since its foundation in 1979, health has been of Public Health network and align all Amel
at the heart of Amels priorities. Over the centres to such standards of quality and care. By
years, the medical support provided by Amel this, Amels team and partners can create a strong
has consistently grown. There are now 13 Amel health system and provide quality services to vulner-
primary health centers spread out across able persons. Also, the centers are able to not
Lebanon, with 3 more due to be opened by only distribute family planning information and
end of July 2016. These centres are essen- vaccinations but also to carry out blood test and
tial for many reasons. For example, with X Rays. If the medication available is insufficient,
new donors supporting Amels work in this the referral system allows patients to be treated
field, additional efforts have been made to by professional medical partners.
include the health centers into the Ministry

Total Primary Health Care consultations


Beirut - Mount Lebanon
2,200

1,885,714

1,571,429

Jan
1,257,143 Feb
Mar
Apr
May
942,857 Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
628,571 Oct

314,286

0
Burj Barajneh PHC Hay el Sellom PHC Haret Hriek PHC
We believe that our vision of non-discrimination Amels Mobile Medical Units also allow access to
is implemented through equal access to these remote areas of Lebanon and to numerous Informal
services amongst vulnerable Lebanese and Tented Settlements (ITSs), which are also in dire
displaced Syrians. Centers operated by Amel need of primary health care. These MMUs
provide a monthly average of 1500 consulta- organise awareness session as well as workshops
tions, receiving mostly women and children, in order to create a sense of community despite
and the only criteria for access that is taken into the tensions prevailing between refugees, displaced
account is vulnerability. Non-discrimination is and vulnerable individuals.
also reflected in the composition of the medical
staff where age, sex, nationality or religion is
not taken into consideration when recruiting
and dealing with staff.

Total Primary Health Care consultations


Bekaa
5,000 Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
3,750
Aug
Sept
Oct

2,50

1,25

Kamed el Loz PHC El Ain PHC Arsal PHC Machghara MMU


12
Mostafa Al Hamad I suffer from the arthritis pain, diabetes, high
63 years from Aleppo
blood pressure, and I lost my eye after a failure
surgery, but the support that Amel is now
After losing our country, no dignity left for offering me and my family is our only hope.
us! We have been suffering during the past They provide us medicine and free consulta-
five years from sorrow and poverty. I came with tions at Haret Hreik and Bourj el Barajneh
my wife and five grandchildren after the centers and they also invite us to parties and
death of my two boys in the war. event communities, and the most important
thing that they will help me to make a surgery
for my wife after she had a heart attack.

Total Primary Health Care consultations


South
1,400

1,050

Jan
Feb
Mar
700 Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct

350

0
Sour PHC Sour MMU Bazourieh PHC Khiam PHC Khiam MMU Chmestar PHC Fradis PHC
EDUCATION

This program entails retention support in


accordance with the NFE governmental
framework.

Amongst the populations fleeing conflict


settings, children are particularly vulnerable
amongst populations fleeing conflict settings.
Kids affected by the crisis are increasingly
exposed to abuse and suffer from inadequate
education opportunities among other things.

One gap in education, as pointed out by the


Lebanon Crisis Response Plan, is support to
prevent drop-out in public schools. The
absence of much needed remedial and
homework support has left Syrian students
without the critical tools for classroom success,
particularly given that much of the curriculum
in Lebanon is imparted in French or English,
unlike in Syria where classes were conducted
in Arabic.

14
Many Syrian children have been out of
school for up to two years and need Mohammad
support to catch up. Homework support
allows children to review and practice what 14 years

has been covered in class and get them ready


for the next lesson. When I first came to the centre, I was
interested in learning and studying there but
It is also important to note that Syrian children I was too distracted, and I didnt pay attention
suffer from anxiety, trouble sleeping, hyper- in class because I had too much on my mind.
activity, low self-esteem, and aggressive My parents are very sick and at Amels centre
behavior, hence psychosocial support is much I could talk about my problems to the
needed to help them heal and build their psychologist and Social worker who were
resilience. very understanding. Unfortunately, a few
months ago, I didnt come for some time
Recreational activities, as well as psychological because I needed to stay and help my family
support are included in the majority of Amels with their daily needs. When I returned to
health projects because underprivileged class, my classmates and the staff were very
children often have less access to recess and nice and supportive and gave me the
school-based creative art, music, and physical motivation and determination needed to
education programs, which are important to succeed at school not only to make my mom
their cultural and intellectual development. proud but to make myself proud. Now I am
determined to continue to pursue my
Amel implements non-formal education education.
projects in 2 centers in the Mount Lebanon
region, namely Ain El Remaneh and Haret
Hreik, and is assessing opportunities to
expand these activities. Students from 7 to
15 years old are being supported 3 times
per week during three hours by social
workers, animators, teachers, volunteers and
psychologists.
CHILD PROTECTION

Nour Khamis
17 years

I was only 14 years old when my family arrived


in this confusing city, after a long difficult
trip from Edlib ( which was taken by Al
Nusra terrorists forces 2015 ) to Damas-
cus and then to Beirut Nour says.

Amels protection program intends to provide We lost everything out there, even our family
relief from sufferings, in all possible ways. relationship, my parents got divorce and my
Amel has multiple interventions aimed at father was planning to force me to merry my
protecting all, including children. Amels cousin, but after a while, we was introduced to
protection program is entirely in line with our Amel association which helped me to gain
principle of non-discrimination. Indeed, these my life back. They supported me to discover
activities are open to refugees (Syrian and other new skills and got me into languages and
nationalities) and vulnerable Lebanese. In computer classes, they have also provided
relation to the protection of children, Amel aims awareness session and psych-social support to
to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, my parents, so my father changed his mind
exploitation and violence against children. To after was trying to prevent me from attending
achieve this goal, Amel has been implementing Amel classes. I am not married and am working
during the past years child protection programs on my new skills, thanks to Amel team.
in and around its centres. In 2016, more than
10, 000 children had access to child When we will be back to Syria, I will open a
friendly-spaces in which protection and psychoso- smilar center to AMELs ones in Lebanon to
cial well-being are addressed. They benefit help girls
16
from psychosocial support aiming at school, early marraige, sexual harassment ... etc.)
enhancing their resilience through thematic and structured parenting skills sessions that
community events and structured activities. intend to help parents overcome their difficult
As for the parents, more than 12,000 were living conditions and cope with being parents in
provided with support in the form of awarness a harsh environment.
sessions on different topics related to childs
rights, (such as: importance of attending

Total Number of Caregivers Attending


Child Protection Programs

Jan
Feb
800 Mar
Apr
May
700 Jun
Jul
Aug
600 Sept
Oct

500
400
300
200
100
0 Arsal Hay el Selom Burj Barajneh El Ain Kamed el Loz Machgara Hay el Selom SDC Mousaitbeh SDC Mazraa SDC
LIVELIHOOD

While considering the numerous effects of the


Syrian crisis on Lebanon, many economic
factors have to be taken into consideration,
such as the decrease in the tourist and construc-
tion sectors, which previously generated
significant revenue for the country. Such
impacts exacerbate tensions among the differ-
ent communities, as unemployment rises, and
the informal job market increases. Further-
more, poverty now spreads from urban areas
to even remote rural regions, and competition
for badly paid jobs with difficult working
conditions is high. It is estimated that over
100 000 Syrian refugees within the Lebanese
workforce earn an average monthly income
of US$300, well below the US$420 minimum
wage.
18
Also, as much as half of all refugee youths are
unemployed, of which 86% are young women.
As a consequence, many turn to negative coping
mechanisms. It is understandable that these Nada Barakat
factors impede on creating a sense of cohe- 24 years From Edlib

sion and community in Lebanon.

The Livelihood program at Amel includes


empowerment activities targeting the most
vulnerable populations, without discrimination, Nadas case is among the remarkable success
with a particular focus on women and youths. stories of Amel achievements within women
Amel provides training, work experience, life empowerment project.
skills and psychosocial support, within the
framework of this sector. I succeed to open my own hairdressing shop
after being trained and empowered in Amel
Moreover, the Menna shop situated below the center of Haret Hreik, although my family and
Amel Headquarters in Beirut specifically works specially brothers tried to prevent me from
towards empowering young refugee women, attending classes based on what they call
and giving them a chance to integrate into the tradition restrictions!
labour market in the future. Indeed, these
mothers, sisters, wives and daughters learn Amel team contacted my family and helped
how to manage a shop through the regular me to get the approval, and after I started
production and selling of handmade goods. earning money from my new profession, my
position in the family was suddenly changed,
Furthermore, Amel implements a food secu- because I became a major financial supporter
rity project in 2 of its Mount Lebanon centers, for the family.
with 2 collective gardens and kitchens.
She is now also working as a trainer within
Amel livelihood classes.
PARTNERS
Amel whises to thank its partners for their collaboration

Dr. Ghada Ya Mr. Pierre and Mrs. Christine LACOSTE

20
Mussaitbeh Abu Chacra St. Amel Bdg
Beirut-Lebanon
amel.org

/AmelAssociation

@Amel NGO

Amel Association International

/amelassociation

+961 1 304 910 +961 1 305 646 For more information:


in fo @am e l.o rg
+961 1 317 293/4

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