Lebanon and Syria: refugees seeking safe shelter
Lebanon is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis due to escalating violence between Hezbollah and Israel. The situation has rapidly worsened, with widespread attacks affecting regions including Beirut, Keserwan, Jbeil, and the Bekaa Valley. Southern Lebanon, in particular, has been heavily bombed, displacing thousands of residents.
The toll on the population is devastating. Hundreds have been killed, and thousands injured, as attacks increase in the South and have extended more north to Beirut. Schools are being converted into shelters for the displaced, and further evacuations are anticipated as civilians flee in search of safety.
People also seek refuge in Syria. Since the escalating violence, over 400,000 people have already crossed the border in search of a safer place. The humaniatarian needs in Syria are already extremely high with increased food insecurity, weak infrastructure, extreme high poverty numbers, economic instability and the psychological effects of long-term conflict and crisis. This huge influx of refugees and returnees asks a huge toll on the country.
Dorcas Lebanon and Dorcas Syria immediately started with the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected. Learn more about we have been and are doing in Lebanon and Syria. Though the work continues, no further updates will be shared on this page.
Overview of our work in Lebanon
Dorcas Lebanon is currently supporting more than 5,000 people in 32 shelters in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and North Lebanon. An overview of our main activities:
- Food security: Delivery of food parcels, hot meals and ready-to-eat meals.
- Non-food items: Distribution of blankets, clothing, mattresses, hygiene kits.
- Protection: Provision of psychological first aid (PFA), safe spaces and case management in shelters and recreational activities for children to help them cope with (severe) stress. PFA sessions and training were provided to volunteers and staff to increase capacity.
- Shelter improvements: Working to improve collective shelters to provide safer living conditions for displaced families and migrant workers.
- Dignity and awareness initiatives: Distribution of dignity kits and sexual and reproductive health awareness sessions to support marginalised groups, such as women and girls.
As the situation in Lebanon continues to evolve, we remain focused on our mission to provide humanitarian assistance and long-term stability for displaced people in the region.
October 21, 2024
Mobile clinic
Dorcas, in partnership with the Monastery of Saint James the Mutilated (MSJM), has set up a mobile clinic in Rableh, near the Lebanese-Syrian border. This is part of the Syria Joint Response project. This initiative provides vital medical assistance to displaced people who have fled from Lebanon into Syria, often arriving with minimal resources and facing difficult conditions. Staffed by qualified medical professionals and equipped with essential supplies, the clinic provides basic healthcare, screenings and medications to improve the safety and well-being of those in need.
October 14, 2024
![Mays Meals [Batroun]](https://dorcas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mays-Meals-Batroun-768x1024.jpeg "Mays Meals [Batroun]")
![RTO [Batroun]](https://dorcas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RTO-Batroun-1024x768.jpeg "RTO [Batroun]")
![RTE [Aley] (3)](https://dorcas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RTE-Aley-3-576x1024.jpeg "RTE [Aley] (3)")
![RTE [Aley] (2)](https://dorcas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RTE-Aley-2-576x1024.jpeg "RTE [Aley] (2)")
![Marys Meals [Aley] (1)](https://dorcas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Marys-Meals-Aley-1-768x1024.jpeg "Marys Meals [Aley] (1)")
![Marys Meals [Aley] (3)](https://dorcas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Marys-Meals-Aley-3-768x1024.jpeg "Marys Meals [Aley] (3)")
![Marys Meals [Aley] (2)](https://dorcas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Marys-Meals-Aley-2-768x1024.jpeg "Marys Meals [Aley] (2)")
Response at border area Syria
Over 400.000 people have crossed the border to Syria. An estimating of 30 per cent are Lebanese nationals, others are Syrian returnees. All seeking safe shelter and support on basic needs. Dorcas Syria, in collaboration with Monastery of Saint James, has deployed two mobile health units to the border area to support those in need. In addition, food parcels are prepared and hygiene kits are distributed.
October 10, 2024
Providing urgent assistance to Rmeich village amid crisis
On Saturday, Dorcas successfully delivered critical assistance to the village of Rmeich, located on Lebanon’s southern border, in response to an urgent SOS appeal from the community. The village, home to 1,100 Christian families, has been cut off for over a week, facing severe shortages of food, bread, and medical supplies. Dorcas provided 5 tons of flour to sustain the village’s bread supply for one to two months. Also, 2,000 litres of fuel was provided by Dorcas. Dorcas coordinated the logistics with other organisations, which provided other important items in these critical times.
October 5, 2024
Response update: support to internally displaced people
As of today, Dorcas has provided essential assistance to 2,549 families, reaching approximately 11,475 individuals. Our efforts include:
- Food assistance: Ready-to-eat food parcels distributed to 850 families (approx. 4,250 individuals).
- Hygiene kits: Delivered to 850 families, benefiting around 4,250 individuals.
- Shelter support: Cleaning supplies provided to shelters housing over 2,080 individuals.
- Shelter management: Two shelters established for migrant workers, supporting 112 people and 100 domestic workers.
- Clothing distribution: 150 children and pregnant women received clothing.
- Blankets: Distributed to 150 people at one school.
- Psychosocial support: 245 individuals received PFA sessions.
- Recreational activities: PSS and recreational sessions for 250 children.
Our efforts continue to evolve as we collect more information and identify new needs on the ground.
October 1, 2024
Appeal for resources to support internally displaced
As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, Dorcas urgently calls for additional resources to provide immediate, life-saving assistance to thousands of displaced individuals. Our team on the ground have identified critical needs that must be met to alleviate suffering.
Food assistance:
- Ready-to-eat meals for families without access to kitchens.
- Hot meals to support shelter facilities.
- Food parcels for sustained, long-term assistance.
Basic necessities:
- Clothing, especially as winter approaches.
- Blankets, mattresses, and pillows to protect from cold and poor conditions.
Hygiene items:
- Personal hygiene kits, including feminine hygiene products and diapers.
- Special hygiene kits for women, children, and older people in vulnerable conditions.
Protection services:
- Psychosocial first aid (PFA) for trauma recovery, especially for children and older people.
- Recreational activities to support children’s mental well-being.
- Safe spaces and case management for those at risk of violence or exploitation.
September 30, 2024
Our support:
- Food assistance: hot meals and food parcels.
- Basic necessities: clothes, blankets, mattresses, and pillows.
- Hygiene items: personal hygiene kits containing soap, feminine hygiene products, diapers for infants, and other essential items.
- Protection services: psychosocial first aid (PFA).
Psychological first aid training
In times of distress and crisis, providing psychological first aid (PFA) is important. At our Dorcas community centre in Batroûn, volunteers are trained to provide PFA to affected population staying in collective shelters. FPA reduces the initial distress caused by traumatic events. It also includes recreational activities.
September 27, 2024
Supporting migrants
Dorcas, in partnership with Migration for Services and Development (MSD), is providing vital support to migrants fleeing the escalating conflict in South Lebanon. Many arriving at our shelters are in urgent need of clothing, particularly for women, pregnant women, and children. Initially abandoned during the crisis, many migrant workers sought refuge along the shoreline. Dorcas and MSD have successfully coordinated the safe evacuation of these workers and their families from the conflict zones.
September 27, 2024
Valuable partners
In Lebanon, Dorcas has a good network of reliable partners and churches that we colaborate with. With so many internally displaced in need of shelter and emergency assistance at the same time, this cooperation is extra valuable for Dorcas' country team in Lebanon. We provide food, and hot meals where possible, and basic items such as soap, diapers and toilet paper. We have set up seven shelters to receive people who have fled violence.
September 27, 2024
Response in full swing
Dorcas Lebanon distributed hot meals in Beirut today. We offer shelter to IDPs in one of the seven shelters we have now set up. We are also continuing to look for more places to provide people shelter. Country Director Najla: ‘Here in the neighbourhood, a school was empty and not being used. We asked if we could use it as a shelter. This way we look for suitable locations every day.' Dorcas supports in the capital Beirut, and in Aley and Batroûn. More than half a million people are internally displaced in Lebanon. Families, old people, children, all looking for save shelter. We are committed to that every day.
September 26, 2024
Personal column CEO: Silent
Lebanon is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis. People in Lebanon are in urgent distress. Our CEO Agnes Kroese expresses her heart into a personal column. She writes: ‘I would like to ask you to be mindful on your fellow human beings in need. Like those in Lebanon right now. People just like you and me. Notice the scared child in her pyjamas. She was woken up early and has already been stuck in traffic all day. The mother, near despair, because she has already lived through war. The grandfather, praying that his grandchildren will remain safe. This images, those stories about people in fear and need—these leave me speechless and silent.’
September 26, 2024
Safe locations
Dorcas has prepared four additional shelter locations, alongside its community centres, with space for over 600 people. "We've divided tasks among the team, everyone is ready," says country director Najla. They are also providing food, soap, and diapers, though shortages remain a challenge. For instance, they have yet to secure milk for young children due to long supermarket lines.
September 26, 2024
IDPs seeking safe shelter
Thousands of people fleeing violence in southern Lebanon are being sheltered in Beirut. Following recent attacks, many are in urgent need, leaving their homes in search of safety. However, safe places are becoming scarce across the country. More than half a million people are internally displaced. In Beirut and Aley, Dorcas is providing shelter, water, blankets, and psychological first aid.
Dorcas teams are ready to assist IDPs in Batroûn, a coastal town in northern Lebanon. Dorcas staff are on the ground, assessing needs and offering essential aid, such as drinking water, blankets, and mental health support.
September 25, 2024
Support to IDPs
People who fled the violence in southern Lebanon are offered sheltered in Beirut. After the violent attacks in recent days, people are in urgent distress. They are leaving their homes in search of a safe place. But there are fewer and fewer safe places in the country. Tens of thousands of people from the south are internally displaced. In Beirut, Dorcas supports with shelter and basic necessities such as water, blankets, a safe place to stay, and psychological first aid. Dorcas also started emergency assistance in other locations in Lebanon, such as Aley and Batroûn.
September 24, 2024
Najla Chahda - Country Director Dorcas Lebanon
'In this critical time, Dorcas is providing urgent support to internally displaced persons (IDPs). Our team is on the ground assessing needs and coordinating the distribution of essential items, including blankets, mattresses, hygiene supplies, food, and medical kits. We also plan to offer psychological first aid and ongoing psychosocial support through community centres and schools.'
