UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today signed a grant agreement with local NGO Direct Aid Society to assist in providing shelter to those affected by the devastating Beirut explosion of August 4th, 2020. The agreement will fund UNHCR’s ‘Project of Rehabilitation of Residential Shelters’ in the Lebanese capital and will support those displaced by the tragic incident, of the most vulnerable Lebanese families and refugees who had sought safety in the country.
“We have been profoundly affected by the enormous losses faced by Lebanon, a country that has historically provided shelter and protection to millions of refugees and which hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world,” said Dr. Samer Haddadin, Head of UNHCR’s Kuwait Office.
“Collaborations and partnerships are at the core of our commitment to respond to crises and we are honoured to partner with the reputable and respected Direct Aid Society to help mitigate the after-effects of the explosion. Their contribution will support us in providing lifesaving shelter for the victims while also protecting them from the COVID-19 outbreak that has taken its toll on the country.”
The donation, which will benefit over 34 homes affected by the Beirut port explosion, marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between both parties. Although the Kuwaiti NGO has previously implemented various projects to support vulnerable populations across the globe, this will be its first intervention in Lebanon delivered through UNHCR as a result of the organization’s opening of its outreach to implement humanitarian projects in the Middle East.
Commenting on the agreement signing, Dr. Abdullah AlSumait, Vice Chairman and General Manager of Direct Aid Society said: “We are extremely pleased to embark with UNHCR on this journey of giving to support the victims who have lost their homes as a result of the devastating explosion. At Direct Aid Society, we have pledged towards UNHCR’s emergency response as a commitment to providing the necessary funds needed for the rehabilitation of shelters.”
Beirut’s port explosion rocked the city, killing more than 190 people and leaving over 6,500 injured, with massive damage sustained to buildings and infrastructure. Dozens of people remain missing and an estimated 300,000 Lebanese, refugees and other populations have lost their homes because of the tragic incident. The Lebanese government estimates state that 1.5 million Syrian refugees are currently present in the country, along with over 16,000 refugees from Iraq, Sudan and other places of origin.
“The explosion further added to Lebanon’s many existing woes. The deep economic and financial crisis, which has been further exacerbated by the current COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to the deterioration of refugee conditions in the country and has pushed more than 50 percent of Lebanese families below the poverty line,” said Nader El Nakib, Head of UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnerships in Kuwait. “UNHCR is grateful for Direct Aid Society’s generous support and we look forward to continuing to work together to provide lifesaving support to refugees and vulnerable families in need of urgent assistance,” he added.
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