UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Social reform society signed a grant agreement to provide assistance and support secondary and primary healthcare referrals to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and subsidized primary health care consultations for refugees and host communities. The agreement was signed by Nisreen Rubaian, UNHCR’s representative to the State of Kuwait, and Saad Al-Otaibi, CEO of Namaa Charity at its headquarters in Kuwait.
Through this contribution, UNHCR will be able to provide healthcare service to 320 individuals, and over 2,000 health consultations and counselling services in supported primary health care centres, in addition to covering the cost of urgent life-saving interventions in hospitals, for Syrian refugees and individuals from the Lebanese host community.
UNHCR Representative Nisreen Rubaian praised the generous contribution made by Namaa Charity, saying: ” Lebanon remains the world’s biggest refugee-hosting country per capita. The Government estimates that the country hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Lebanon is currently facing its worst economic crisis in decades and the socio-economic downturn has led to an exponential rise in extreme poverty and protection risks for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and we hope that this donation will contribute to alleviating some of the burdens placed on families and helping them in a dignified way through health assistance, which will allow them to prioritize their health care and meet the most urgent needs.” “We appreciate our humanitarian partnership with the Social Reform Society, which reflects the firm commitment of the State of Kuwait with all its governmental and humanitarian bodies and the private sector to extend a helping hand to refugees and host communities wherever they are, especially in light of the increasing humanitarian situation around the world and the scarcity of funding.”
On his part, Al-Otaibi said: “This agreement embodies our serious and shared commitment towards improving the conditions of the most vulnerable refugees and host communities and supporting them in this critical time, and we intend to make every effort possible to ensure that the goals set out in this agreement are achieved.” He added: “The cooperation between Social Reform Society and UNHCR is an example of how to work collectively to achieve good and give to the world, and we realize the great importance of this cooperation in joint support for those in need, as Namaa charitable projects for education, health and relief in Lebanon constitute an essential part of our vision to improve living conditions and support vulnerable people who are in dire need.”
In 2023, Lebanon witnessed a further deterioration in the socio-economic situation with rising pressure on resources and infrastructure, suffering of public institutions, and increasing barriers to access basic services and aid due to inflation, rising fuel prices, poor telecommunications services and electricity shortages. These factors continue to exacerbate the challenges faced by the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly, female-headed households and persons with disabilities. UNHCR’s support to primary health care in Lebanon includes several key services such as: support for consultation fees and laboratory tests for critical cases, maternal and child health services, and noncommunicable diseases. In addition, the support provides free immunization and medication services, along with health awareness and awareness programs within healthcare facilities and in the community.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
