Continuing to Bridge Borders: LEBANON
The IBC celebrated our second anniversary in late Summer, and, while 2024 has been more quiet when compared to the bustling activity of the prior 2 years, we are still diligently at work with our partners in Lebanon, Poland, and Ukraine.
Over the next 3 weeks, we’ll be providing insight into the ways we continue to help those in need, and how you can help us continue to bridge borders and bring hope. This week’s focus is on our most recent program in Beirut, Lebanon.
LEBANON
Try to imagine a civil war breaking out in your native country.
The violence is so grave you are forced to flee - leaving your home, your livelihood, perhaps even some of your loved ones.
Your options for safety are hundreds of miles away, yet, somehow after weeks of dangerous travel, you cross the border to a new land - one you hope will provide safety and stability.
Fast forward this scenario 8 years, 10 years, 13 years and those same people who fled find themselves in a similar situation: the nation they hoped would provide opportunity is facing a debilitating economic decline, political instability, increased hostilities towards refugees, and violence erupting as the clouds of new war emerges.
UNHCR
This is the current reality of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, over 12 million people have been forcibly displaced, with 1.5 million fleeing to neighboring Lebanon. The deteriorating economic situation in Lebanon combined with need for assistance of its own population and refugees, has resulted in 90% of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon living in conditions of extreme poverty.
These dire circumstances have gone from bad to worse as violence in the region intensifies, forcing some Syrians to once again flee the evils of war.
With such a bleak outlook, how can you make a difference?
a recipient family in Beirut
We began a strategic partnership with Refugee Relief in November 2023 to provide food vouchers for Syrian refugees living in Beirut. Each $22.00 voucher enables a Syrian family to purchase enough food for one month through participating local markets.
This program is administered by the Free Evangelical Association of Lebanon and, as of late September 2024, were still continuing to meet the needs of Syrian refugees and other displaced people within Lebanon.
This is a developing situation and we will continue to do our part to raise awareness and the financial support needed to help the refugee crisis in Lebanon.
You can help by partnering with us and donating to our Syrian Refugee Food Voucher program today!
