Human Rights

US praised for being single largest humanitarian donor in Lebanon

By Nohad Topalian

The US State Department provided the Lebanese Internal Security Forces with personal protection equipment (PPE) valued at more than $400,000. [US Embassy]

The US State Department provided the Lebanese Internal Security Forces with personal protection equipment (PPE) valued at more than $400,000. [US Embassy]

BEIRUT -- So far this year, the United States has provided more than $400 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon to help it cope with a multi-dimensional crisis that it has classified as a "complex emergency".

As the single largest donor to Lebanon -- this year, and in previous years as well -- it has stepped up to help the country as it grapples with a political, economic and health crisis, among other challenges.

These challenges include hosting about 1.5 million refugees from Syria alone, as well as rebuilding parts of the capital city in the aftermath of the catastrophic August 2020 blast at Beirut port.

In a greeting to the people of Lebanon on their independence day, November 22, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognised "both the rich culture and perseverance of the Lebanese people" and reaffirmed US support.

A mother and child visit a clinic in Lebanon in an undated photo. The United States has provided funding for health services to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. [US Embassy]

A mother and child visit a clinic in Lebanon in an undated photo. The United States has provided funding for health services to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. [US Embassy]

"During these trying times, the United States will continue to stand by the people of Lebanon and support their hopes for a better future," he said.

In a message to an August donor conference in Paris, US President Joe Biden announced that the United States would provide almost $100 million in additional humanitarian aid to Lebanon, touching on food, security, health, shelter and education.

Comprehensive support package

The assistance, provided via the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department, is helping Lebanese affected by the coronavirus pandemic and its compounding socioeconomic impacts.

It is also helping Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

The $41 million of additional USAID funding is providing urgently needed food assistance, health care, protection and water and sanitation support to communities, including those impacted by COVID-19.

"Protection" means "child protection, gender-based violence ... prevention, and mental health and PSS [psychosocial support] services", according to a September statement by USAID.

This also includes food assistance to help 400,000 vulnerable Lebanese.

Directly following the Beirut port explosion, the United States provided initial disaster in-kind assistance worth $17 million to Lebanon, including food aid, medical supplies, and financial assistance to the Lebanese Red Cross.

It ultimately provided more than $38 million in emergency assistance.

In the aftermath of the blast, USAID helped more than 46 stores to cover the cost of repairs, warehousing, equipment, technical assistance and marketing support to enable them to restart operations and improve productivity.

It has helped more than 300 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), via in-kind grants, PSS sessions, and business development courses for business owners with special needs and disabilities.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the United States has been providing the Internal Security Forces (ISF) with in-kind assistance via the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

This assistance has included more than $400,000 worth of preventive and personal protection equipment (PPE) kits to protect against COVID-19.

US funding also has significantly contributed to stemming the spread of the virus and making polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and vaccines available to the Lebanese people and to Syrian refugees.

Help came 'at the right time'

The US assistance for COVID-19 "came at the right time, and was distributed through the Lebanese army to government and private hospitals", said Lebanese MP Assem Araji, who serves on the parliamentary health committee.

"The US assistance reduced the cost burden of citizens and of the state's health care and hospitalisation due to the spread of the coronavirus," he said.

"It [the United States] is deserving of thanks for everything it has contributed and will contribute as we face a new wave of the virus, amid the state's persistent inability to bear its repercussions," he said.

The US humanitarian assistance to Lebanon under the current circumstances "is the largest provided to Lebanon", said economist Antoine Farah.

"It is the top country in terms of the size of humanitarian aid provided to Lebanon," Farah said, adding that the assistance is helpful as it "targets specific groups and sectors".

The United States is keen to work with local authorities to ensure the aid reaches its intended recipients, he said.

This includes the food aid going to about 400,000 Lebanese, he said, "which contributes to alleviating the suffering with the poverty rate in Lebanon reaching 80% today".

Do you like this article?

148 Comment(s)

Comment Policy * Denotes Required Field 1500 / 1500

Exploiting Iraqis' blood is haram (forbidden).

Reply

Please help us. I have two children. My husband’s salary is spent on rent, electricity, subscriptions and medicines for my daughter. [unintelligible]

Reply

Good

Reply

Please help us in these tough conditions. We don’t even have a bit of rice at home.

Reply

Please help us. I have three children, and the situation is very tough. May Allah bless you!

Reply

Please help me with the rent and medical assistance.

Reply

Please help us in these tough conditions. Thank you for your co-operation with the Lebanese people.

Reply

Please help

Reply

I need help. 1500. 1571

Reply

I’m Belal Ibrahim. I’m 25. I’m unemployed because of cancer. I urgently need help.

Reply

I'm a widow. I have four children. I have to pay the rent. I live in al-Bisariya, al-Adir neighbourhood.

Reply

I need help. Please help me.

Reply

I’m a widow without an income. I’m sick. I was wounded in the [port] blast. I had a surgery; they did a hip replacement for me. My situation is very tough. Please help me. Thanks.

Reply

Please help.

Reply

We haven’t seen any assistance. The situation is very tough, especially for those who don’t have an income or a job. We’re forgotten here in Akar.

Reply

Can I receive assistance?

Reply

How can I get charity assistance?

Reply

I haven't received any assistance although I'm a widow.

Reply

We need help at these tough times.

Reply

Please help.

Reply

I’m Palestinian-Lebanese. I live outside camps. I need assistance. I’m not getting anything from anyone. 03187550.

Reply

Hope you can help us.

Reply

Our situation is tough. Please help.

Reply

I’m a mother of 4. I work in order to feed them. I’m separated from my husband, and I’m not getting any alimony. My children sleep on the floor as I don’t have any furniture. I have to pay rent. Borg Hammoud, near the Red Crescent. My phone number is: 71954501

Reply

I have 5 kids and I need help because of the situation.

Reply

I hope to receive assistance. The situation is tough as I have to pay the rent and [unintelligible]

Reply

You're good at helping strangers while Lebanese citizen die of hunger and disease.

Reply

My husband has been without work two years. I have two children who need medicines, milk and diapers. Everything is so expensive and we have debts.

Reply

I haven’t seen anything. There are rich people who receive assistance, while I don’t have anyone to support me. 1440/1500.

Reply

Assistance.

Reply

We need help.

Reply

I want you to help us. I'm a widow. I live in Miniyeh, Tripoli.

Reply

I need assistance. I live in Tebana, vegetables market. My name is Amna Ali Khalaf.

Reply

Hope you’ll help me. I live in [unintelligible], and nobody is helping here. 81255921

Reply

I have four children. 71758446

Reply

I ask that you help me. I have two young children and my husband is jobless. 03603962

Reply

Yes, I want assistance because the situation is very bad. 71656073

Reply

I have Multiple Sclerosis and I need help.

Reply

Please help.

Reply

My situation is very bad and I need help. 71978939

Reply

I’m an old man. I need assistance. Here’s my phone number: 70362388. Please call me at this number. I’m from Tripoli. Thanks a lot.

Reply

I’m Lebanese. My husband is jobless and I can’t afford the rent. I have three children and a 1-year old toddler. We can’t afford milk and diapers for him. Here’s my number: 78997717

Reply

We’re certainly thankful to it for its assistance and support. Hope it’ll help us because our situation is very tough. 70484086

Reply

May Allah save the US which has been helping the Lebanese people!

Reply

Hope there'll actually be assistance. May Allah reward those who help!

Reply

We need assistance

Reply

Thanks to the US for its support for the Lebanese people, especially people with special needs, and for its small projects. Please repeat it as this will ensure a dignified life for them.

Reply

Please help

Reply

We’re in a dire situation. The assistance is very helpful for heads of families because of high prices. May Allah have mercy on the people, especially those who have children! We need assistance from you.

Reply

Thanks!

Reply

Poor families must be assisted.

Reply

I need in-kind assistance so I can live with dignity.

Reply

We urgently need help. My mother is sick, and our condition is very bad. Hope you can help us. 71138477

Reply

Please include how we can get in touch with you.

Reply

I’m from Lebanon. I can no longer endure our situation. We have two children, but we can’t afford to get what they need, neither food nor clothes. We urgently need help. 70226610

Reply

I’m Lebanese. My husband is a soldier of the Lebanese army. We’re six people. He isn’t receiving a pension; just [unintelligible] which isn’t enough. I swear by Allah Almighty that our situation is tragic. My phone number is: 76774268

Reply

I need assistance. My house is rented, and it has no ...

Reply

Ghassan al-Sayyad. Our living conditions are dire. I'm married and I have four children.

Reply

I'm a widow and I have two kids. Please help us.

Reply

Manal Mustafa al-Kajk. 7D7029452

Reply

It’s not being fairly given; they give one person more than once while others aren’t given any.

Reply

I’m Lebanese. I need assistance. We’re four people. We have to pay rent. I’m not receiving any assistance from anybody. 76604986.

Reply

I have four kids and I need urgent help.

Reply

I need a job and assistance. I support three children.

Reply

I have 3 children and I'm jobless.

Reply

Hello. I have four children, including one who is one year and half old and another who is two years old who need milk and diapers. Our financial conditions are tough in every aspect. Please help. 76 720542.

Reply

Mahmoud Muslim Faqih

Reply

I need assistance.

Reply

Hello. We haven’t seen or heard anything about this assistance. How can we benefit from it? Here’s my number: 71827781.

Reply

I need assistance. My children are young and I haven’t received any assistance. I’m Lebanese and a resident of the Beirut port area. Please help. Here’s my number: 76951621

Reply

Hope you can allocate assistance to army veterans. That category of people isn’t helped by anyone: the army is dealing with them as civilians, and therefore they can’t benefit from its support, and organisations are considering them to be army personnel and therefore, isn’t allowing them to receive assistance. Please have a look at their situation.

Reply

I have four children. I need assistance because I’m a refugee in Lebanon. My husband has deserted me. 76710868

Reply

Please help

Reply

Ahmed Khalil Moussa. We're interested in your assistance. Thanks.

Reply

Please help. I have 3 kids.

Reply

I'm in a bad situation; I have two kids and need help.

Reply

Please help. I have an eye problem for which I have to receive eye injections. The cost of each injection is 1300, but I don’t have that money. Thanks.

Reply

I'm Lebanese and I'm very poor. Please help. 70179042

Reply

Do your job honestly; we've had enough of these deceptions.

Reply

I’m Lebanese. Please help me. All people are now poor. 71013283

Reply

I’m Lebanese. My husband is jobless and suffers from chronic diseases. I have three children. I urgently need that assistance as soon as possible.

Reply

I'm Palestinian Lebanese

Reply

Good

Reply

All people need hlep.

Reply

Please give us financial and food assistance.

Reply

I ask you for financial or food assistance. Thanks a lot. I have a family and I have to pay for the rent.

Reply

Done

Reply

In Lebanon today, all of us have become poor. We need food and financial assistance. Thanks.

Reply

War brings poverty and diseases. I’m 47. I have five children. I had an accident that caused head and should injuries. I now suffer from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, or epilepsy.

Reply

War and high prices are causing poverty across Lebanon.

Reply

I have 5 children, including 2 with disabilities. Our condition is really tough. [unintelligible]. Hadn’t it been for our neighbours, we would have starved. Please help us.

Reply

I need help: anything, food or money

Reply

Brother, I need help. My husband is disabled and I have a baby girl for whom I can’t afford milk or diaper. We’re also renting a place.

Reply

Pls help

Reply

Yes

Reply

Brother, I need help. My husband is disabled and I have a baby girl for whom I can’t afford milk or diaper. We’re also renting a place. 76452417

Reply

I ask for assistance. 81728801

Reply

I need assistance.

Reply

I need help. 70457852

Reply

70113998

Reply

Help, please

Reply

I need help because I have two young children. I’m not receiving any assistance although our condition is very tough. Hope you can help me. 71502291

Reply

Yes

Reply

We need assistance, if possible, please. 71483259

Reply

Please, if there is a phone number we can use to contact you ...

Reply

Kamel Zeyoun, we haven't received anything

Reply

I urgently need help if possible. Thanks

Reply

I need help. 81703590

Reply

We aren't seeing any assistance.

Reply

Please, we need help.

Reply

Yes, most of the Lebanese people need assistance. We've had enough.

Reply

Of course, we've had enough

Reply

We need help because our situation is tough.

Reply

Nobody is helping me. My situation is hopeless.

Reply

Done

Reply

Please help.

Reply

Can you help us? My husband is jobless, and we have kids. My mother is also sick and needs an operation but I can’t get the necessary money. 70262432

Reply

Hope I can get help because I need it.

Reply

My husband is a cancer patient, and the disease has spread to the liver. He needs treatment. Please help us. Thanks a lot. 78944491.

Reply

Please help us. 76440429

Reply

Please help. 71193058

Reply

Please, we need help if you can. 81684951

Reply

70786287

Reply

Assistance. 71704732

Reply

Allah bless you! Hope you can help us because our situation is very bad. I have 4 kids. My phone number is 76082336.

Reply

We need help because our situation is very bad. 76615307

Reply

We need help because our situation is very tough. 96176615307

Reply

We need help because our situation is very tough.

Reply

9613325172

Reply

May Allah reward you well!

Reply

Hope the assistance will reach those who really need it, rather than the MPs and ministers. 03029759

Reply

Lebanon has been destroyed at the hands of mafia gangs. We’re tired of being deprived of everything; we’ve been sufficiently humiliated.

Reply

I swear by Allah we haven't seen anything. If you know somebody, you'll see something. This is how our country is.

Reply

03127969

Reply

If you can help us, please do as our situation is very tough. 70784690

Reply

Allah! Allah! 76533139

Reply

I hope we will have this.

Reply

By Allah, we haven't seen anything from all of this!

Reply

This is the first time I [unintelligible]

Reply

We hope you can help us.

Reply

Hello. I’m divorced. I have 3 kids. I don’t have anyone but Allah. I’m sick. I suffer from disc [prolapse] and anemia. I can’t afford the medications. Please help us.

Reply

Thank you!

Reply

Can we get that help?

Reply

I’m Lebanese. My husband is jobless and we have 5 children. Please help us. The address is: Beside Ali Harbia, Zawtar El Charkieh.

Reply

I want you to help us; our situation is tough. I’m renting a place to stay in, and I have three children.

Reply

I need assistance.

Reply

Thanks a lot!

Reply

May Allah reward you well!

Reply