Humanitarian response for the Middle East
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 humanitarian 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.
Dorcas Lebanon and Dorcas Syria immediately started with the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected. Though the work continues, no further updates will be shared on this page.
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 from various nationalities.
Mobile clinic at the Lebanese-Syrian border
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.
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 food, blankets, mattresses, hygiene items, and psychosocial support.
Overview of our work
Dorcas Lebanon is currently supporting more than 5,000 people in 32 shelters in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and North Lebanon.
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- Food security: Delivery of food parcels, hot meals and ready-to-eat meals. n
- Non-food items: Distribution of blankets, clothing, mattresses, hygiene kits. n
- 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 over 185 caregivers. n
- Shelter management: Providing a safe space for people to rest. n
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.
nDorcas 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.
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.
nDorcas 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.
Appeal for resources
As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, Dorcas urgently calls for additional resources to provide immediate, life-saving assistance to thousands of displaced individuals.
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- Ready-to-eat meals for families without access to kitchens. n
- Hot meals to support shelter facilities. n
- Food parcels for sustained, long-term assistance. n
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- Clothing, especially as winter approaches. n
- Blankets, mattresses, and pillows. n
- Personal hygiene kits containing soap, feminine hygiene products, diapers for infants, and other essential items. n
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- Psychosocial first aid (PFA). n
- Safe spaces and case management in shelters. n
- Recreational activities for children. n
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. PFA reduces the initial distress caused by traumatic events. It also includes recreational activities.
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.
Valuable partners
In Lebanon, Dorcas has a good network of reliable partners and churches that we collaborate 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.
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 safety.
First response: September 2024
Dorcas immediately responded when the crisis escalated. Here is an overview of the initial response in September 2024.
People who fled the violence in southern Lebanon are offered shelter 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.
nIn 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 Batrou00fbn.
'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.'
