*Mariam participating in Concern’s non-formal education programme that focuses on early childhood education in Akkar, north Lebanon. Photo: Chantale Fahmi/Concern Worldwide 2017.

Lebanon

Why are we in Lebanon? We became operational in Lebanon in 2013 following a massive influx of refugees from Syria. We have been responding ever since to the increasing humanitarian needs of the estimated 1.5 million refugees and the overstretched local host communities in the Akkar and North governates of northern Lebanon.

Lebanon has the highest concentration of refugees in the world

As the war in Syria continues into its ninth year, Lebanon has become the country with the highest concentration of refugees anywhere in the world. Already home to over four million people, it now hosts approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Syrians are competing with already vulnerable Lebanese people for affordable housing and services. Up to 70% lack valid residence permits, forcing families to make difficult decisions to survive. Many are falling deeper into debt and have been forced to move into sub-standard housing such as garages, dilapidated buildings, and tents.

Latest achievements

Shelter

In 2018, we supported over 3,000 people with basic shelter and water infrastructure. An additional 1,000 people were provided with rent-free accommodation in housing units that were brought up to SPHERE standards.

Education

Emergency response

Concern staff member, Abdulrahman Rima, in a clown costume with Syrian children during Global Water Day in a playground in North Lebanon. Photo: AbdulRahman Rima / Concern Worldwide

World Water Day celebrations for Syrian children. Photo: AbdulRahman Rima / Concern Worldwide.

Concern staff organising the distribution of new tent kits (including wood, plastic sheeting etc) to families whose homes were recently burnt down. The tents are going to be built on this field, in Northern Lebanon. Photograph by Mary Turner/Panos Pictures for Concern Worldwide

A distribution of new tent kits in Northern Lebanon. Photo: Mary Turner / Concern Worldwide.

Syrian refugees planting flowers to represent the main topic of the event this year which is the link between water and nature. Photo: Nahed Mansour/Concern Worldwide.

Syrian children planting flowers on World Water Day. Photo: Nahed Mansour/Concern Worldwide.

Syrian women receive training in cheese-making at a dairy co-op in Northern Lebanon. Photo: Jason Kennedy / Concern Worldwide.

Syrian women receive training at a dairy co-op in Lebanon. Photo: Jason Kennedy/Concern Worldwide.

In the space of just two weeks, storms ‘Norma’ and ‘Miriam’ have brought torrential rain, freezing winds and snow to Lebanon, leaving Syrian refugee settlements under flood water. Storm damage to settlements pictured. Concern staff member Amani Sahmarani distributes emergency supplies including shelter and hygiene kits to Syrian families affected by the flooding. Photo: Concern Worldwide.

A distribution of emergency supplies to Syrian families affected by floods. Photo: Concern Worldwide.

How we're helping Lebanon

We are working hard to alleviate suffering for both refugees and over-stretched host communities in Lebanon through shelter, water, and sanitation, livelihoods, education and protection activities.

Latest from Lebanon

Destruction in the city of Beirut following the port blast on 4th August 2020. Photo: Jade Van Huisseling

Story

27 August 2020

Psychosocial support: a vital (but sometimes overlooked) element in humanitarian response

One aspect of our work that is rarely in the limelight but is vital to the wellbeing and recovery of vulnerable communities is Psychosocial support. In this piece we explore what Psychosocial support is, and why it is so important.

Story26 August 2020

9 things I learned while taking the Ration Challenge

Concern staff Amani, Pauline and Sanaa buying flowers to distribute alongside the dignity and shelter kits to support the local community affected by the Beirut blast.Lebanon Photo: Pauline Coste / Concern Worldwide

Story25 August 2020

Saying it with flowers: solidarity and compassion amidst trauma in Beirut

Scenes of destruction in Beirut after an explosion in early August 2020. Photo: Dom Hunt / Concern Worldwide.

News

8 August 2020

The humanitarian impact of the Beirut explosion

Recovery from the Beirut explosion will be daunting as Lebanon is already facing an economic crisis, an influx of refugees, and a new spike in Covid-19 cases.

Organisations who fund us

Unicef

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Irish Aid

European Union (EU)

German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Government of the Netherlands

Unicef

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Help those in need across the world

Our mission is to permanently transform the lives of people living in extreme poverty.
When an emergency strikes we are among the first on the ground.
We go to the ends of earth to deliver aid where it's needed most.

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