Lebanon

We have been in Lebanon since 2019, providing different services for vulnerable children and their families from both Lebanon as well as from Syria. Children can experience traumatic things and have all their daily activities and connections disrupted. They miss their normal life. Their school. Their friends. It is important that they are well protected and helped.

In 2019, the “Back to the Future” project provided a protective and nurturing environment to increase access to school, inclusion and retention for Syrian refugee children impacted by war, and to vulnerable Lebanese. 

We provided a safe place for children. They received special psychosocial help and education in child-friendly spaces. Together with their families and communities, they can process their difficult experiences and learn to deal with their new circumstances. They can also make up for missed school lessons.

On the 4th August 2020, the Lebanese capital, Beirut, was struck by an explosion leaving thousands of people injured, and tens of thousands of families instantly homeless. Children have lost their parents, and food and medicine supplies have been disrupted. 

From day 1, Terre des Hommes immediately started working to assess the needs of children, and provide emergency aid to affected children and their families. We provided psychological support and recreational activities. The psychological sessions provided stress-relieving games that could be recreated at home without extra financial expenses for the family members to play together. “I don’t have toys at home” mentions one of the project participants. “We play the game of the chairs. All the children have the right to play these games”.

We also distributed cash and hygiene kits in the most affected neighbourhoods, and helped children get back to school.