Restoring Dignity and Providing Relief to Lebanon’s Most Vulnerable

The Crisis in Lebanon: A Humanitarian Catastrophe

Lebanon, once known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East," is now facing a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. The country is enduring one of the world’s worst economic depressions, with its currency collapsing, unemployment skyrocketing, and inflation making basic necessities out of reach for the majority of its population. The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Beirut port explosion have further compounded the misery.

The harsh reality for Lebanese citizens and refugees includes:

Skyrocketing Poverty: Over 75% of the population now lives below the poverty line, and more than half of the population is unable to meet their basic needs.
Health Crisis: Hospitals are overwhelmed, operating with limited power and supplies. Essential medicines are in short supply—from antibiotics to cancer treatments—leaving thousands untreated and in danger.
Food Insecurity: Lebanon is facing severe food shortages, with food prices increasing by more than 400%. Many families are cutting back on meals, while others are reliant on food aid to survive.
Education Disruption: Many schools have closed or operate intermittently, depriving over 700,000 children of a stable education. Many young people are dropping out to help support their families, leading to long-term implications for the country’s future.

On top of these internal struggles, Lebanon continues to host over 1.5 million Syrian refugees, making it the country with the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. This places a huge burden on an already crumbling infrastructure, with both host and refugee communities fighting for the same scarce resources.

Our Mission in Lebanon: Immediate Relief and Sustainable Recovery

Hands4Relief is committed to standing with Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities during this time of unprecedented need. We aim to provide life-saving aid while also working to lay the groundwork for long-term recovery and stability. Our efforts in Lebanon will focus on three key pillars: emergency food aid, healthcare support, and winter survival programs.

Our guiding principles are:

Dignity: Providing aid that restores the dignity of individuals and families, ensuring they are treated with respect, compassion, and understanding.
Sustainability: While addressing urgent needs, we also focus on sustainable solutions that empower communities, giving them the tools to rebuild and thrive.
Collaboration: By working closely with local organizations and trusted partners, we ensure that aid is delivered effectively and in culturally sensitive ways.

Our Solutions: Tackling Lebanon’s Most Pressing Needs

Emergency Food Assistance

The economic crisis has left food out of reach for many families, with once-affordable staples now costing several times their original price. With over 50% of households struggling to access enough food, our immediate response is to provide essential nutrition to those facing hunger.

What we’ll do:

Distribute monthly food parcels containing rice, grains, canned goods, cooking oil, and other essentials to 2,000 families. Each parcel is designed to sustain a family of five for a month.
Partner with local bakeries to provide fresh bread daily to families in the hardest-hit areas.

Impact goal: To reduce hunger-related malnutrition and provide temporary relief while enabling families to focus on rebuilding their lives without worrying about where their next meal will come from.

Healthcare Support

Lebanon’s healthcare system is at a breaking point. Hospitals are operating with frequent blackouts and severe shortages of everything from medical gloves to life-saving cancer treatments. We aim to strengthen this critical infrastructure and ensure that families can access the medical care they desperately need.

What we’ll do:

Supply essential medicines such as antibiotics, insulin, and cancer treatments to three partner hospitals in Beirut and Tripoli, focusing on children’s wards and emergency rooms.
Fund emergency surgeries and treatments for children and the elderly, with a goal of treating 500 patients in the first year.
Provide mental health support through counseling services, addressing the growing anxiety, depression, and trauma caused by the multiple crises.

Impact goal: To ease the burden on Lebanon’s overtaxed healthcare system by supporting critical treatments and keeping hospitals operational, saving countless lives in the process.

Winter Relief Program

With harsh winter conditions and inadequate housing, many families—especially refugees living in makeshift shelters—are vulnerable to the cold. Freezing temperatures, coupled with fuel shortages, mean that families are unable to stay warm, putting lives at risk.

What we’ll do:

Distribute warm blankets, clothing, and heating supplies to 1,500 families across Lebanon.
Provide fuel vouchers to families living in substandard housing to help them heat their homes during the coldest months.
Partner with local NGOs to create winter shelter kits containing insulated tarps and repair materials for makeshift shelters.

Impact goal: Ensure that the most vulnerable families are protected from the elements, reducing the risk of cold-related illnesses and deaths during the winter months.

The Long Road Ahead: Hands4Relief’s Commitment to Lebanon

Lebanon’s recovery will not happen overnight, and the road ahead is long. Hands4Relief is committed to being there every step of the way, providing immediate aid while also helping communities build the resilience they need to thrive in the future. Through ongoing partnerships with local organizations, we will continue to assess the evolving needs and adjust our strategies accordingly.

By 2026, we aim to:

Expand our food assistance programs to reach 5,000 families on a regular basis.
Establish mobile healthcare units to provide medical care in underserved rural areas.
Help create self-sustaining community centers that provide education, vocational training, and small-business support for refugees and low-income families, empowering them to rebuild their lives.

How You Can Help

The people of Lebanon need us now more than ever. As the crisis deepens, every act of generosity can make a monumental difference.

Donate: Just $50 can provide food for a family for a month, while $200 can provide winter supplies to keep a family safe and warm.
Volunteer: We’re always looking for dedicated volunteers to help organize, fundraise, and spread awareness about Lebanon’s crisis and our mission.
Partner with Us: If you’re an organization or business, we’d love to partner with you to increase our impact in Lebanon. Your support can help us scale our efforts and reach more people in need.

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