Under the ‘Lebanon in Our Hearts’ initiative, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) together with the Lebanese Red Cross has been providing assistance to those impacted by the Beirut Port Explosion since August 4, 2020.

Since the start of the pandemic, QRCS has played a prominent role in supporting the country as it tackles the major health challenge.

With funding from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), the representation mission of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) in Lebanon is pursuing an immediate response to COVID-19 at the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

In addition to 3,759 indirect beneficiaries, family food baskets were distributed to 1,000 direct beneficiaries at the Ein El-Hilweh, Mieh ou Mieh and Sahel gatherings, Sidon, the South Governorate. 

The distributions were supplied under strict preventive measures to ensure the safety of both the beneficiaries and distributors.

Early during the coronavirus outbreak, QFFD and QRCS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together on meeting the medical needs of many communities amid risks of overpopulation, especially at the Palestinian communities in Lebanon.

To implement the project, executive agreements were signed with the Lebanese Red Cross and Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

A rapid assessment was conducted to identify and verify the list of beneficiaries based on certain selection criteria. These include households with five members or above, female-headed households (widowed or separated/divorced), families restricted to members below 14 years or above 59 years of age, and vulnerable families that depend on community assistance.

Concerning the utilization of ambulances to be secured under the project, a meeting was held between the Lebanese Red Cross and PRCS to agree on the co-ordination process to transport Palestinian patients from the camps.

There is constant co-operation with the local authorities to contain any identified case, in light of the high risks at overpopulated camps, which may lead to a viral-spreading wave. The general outcomes of the project are as follows:

Outcome 1: disease mitigation and minimization of secondary health impacts

Action 1-1: to support health facilities to cope with and maintain service provision in their response to COVID-19 while maintaining other services running (targets: 10 health centers, one quarantine hospital, and five ambulances to be utilized for the duration of the project).

Action 1-2: to support vulnerable communities to protect themselves and their families through essential hygienic practices (target: 1,000 families).

Outcome 2: mitigation of the adverse economic impact of the lockdown.

Action 2-1: To provide basic food assistance for the most vulnerable refugees (target: 27,800 families).

With a total of 139,400 target beneficiaries, including 8,430 persons with special needs, the implementation sites are South - Rashidieh, Burj Shemali, El-Buss, Ein El-Hilweh, Mieh ou Mieh and Sahel gatherings; Beirut - Shatila, Burj Barajneh and Mar Elias; North - Beddawi and Nahr El-Bared; and Beqaa - Wavel (Baalbak).

QRCS teams have been repairing homes damaged in the explosion with the help of the shelter kits sent by Qatar as part of the humanitarian aid for Beirut. 

QRCS welcomes donations from the people of Qatar via the website (www.qrcs.org.qa), donor service line (66666364), home collector service (33998898), or Raca-licensed donation collectors at malls and shopping centers to continue its humanitarian works ahead.

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Source Credit: Gulf Times

Cover Image Credit: Qatar Tribune