UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has launched a cash assistance for shelter programme aiming to reach over 11,500 families –Lebanese, refugees, and others – with USD 600, to help them pay for repairs in their homes. The programme is primarily benefiting people with residential units that were lightly or moderately […]
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has launched a cash assistance for shelter programme aiming to reach over 11,500 families –Lebanese, refugees, and others – with USD 600, to help them pay for repairs in their homes.
The programme is primarily benefiting people with residential units that were lightly or moderately damaged by the explosion. The damage assessment has been conducted by the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) through door-to-door household visits. It is a one-off grant that will be paid in USD since the families benefitting from this programme are expected to spend the assistance on shelter material, which is often imported and sold in USD.
“The need for cash is evident from the assessments made, and helps cover costs for shelter repairs”, said Mireille Girard, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon. “As people are working to repair and rehabilitate their damaged homes before the cold sets in, the cash assistance comes as much needed support.”
This support programme complements other ongoing support being provided by UNHCR and partners to families affected by the explosion. In the immediate weeks after the blast, UNHCR and partners provided over 20,000 Lebanese, refugees and other affected individuals with weatherproofing kits containing plastic sheets and wood to help them secure their entrances and windows. Legal counselling and support have also been provided to over 200 individuals to help them recover lost or damaged documents, and over 2,000 people have been supported with psychological services.
The cash assistance for shelter will be complemented by medium-term repair works through which UNHCR and partners will conduct minor repairs and rehabilitation works.
The August 4th explosion hit Lebanon as it faces a multi-faceted crisis. In recent months, the socio-economic situation of Lebanese, refugees and other populations has exponentially deteriorated. The costs of basic needs have steeply risen as a result of the deep economic and financial crisis, exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19, and pushed an increasing number of people below the poverty and extreme poverty line.
As part of the inter-agency Flash Appeal, UNHCR is mobilizing a total of USD 35 million for its contribution to the emergency response to the hardest-hit and most vulnerable households affected by the explosion. This includes USD 32.5 million for specific shelter interventions and USD 2.5 million for protection activities over three months. UNHCR’s response targets 100,000 of the most affected and vulnerable individuals, including Lebanese, refugees and other populations and those displaced outside the city.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Omer El Naiem
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Dalal Harb
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Lisa Abou Khaled
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