Updates from Lebanon

October 17, 2019 marked the onset of ongoing public protests in Lebanon in which hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets nationwide. A series of mismanaged crises that hit the country in the preceding weeks, including a dollar shortage, gas stations on strike, and taxes imposed on basic commodities and services, triggered the outbreak of the protests.

The protests continue and the economic situation in Lebanon continues to worsen. Anera’s programs are focusing more and more on humanitarian response in order to address immediate needs.

To better inform our supporters about the fast-changing situation in Lebanon, its impact on our work, and the programs we continue to deliver, we will be providing ongoing updates on this page.

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March 9, 2020

Youth in Lebanon are facing a crisis. Opportunities to obtain a good education and secure fulfilling livelihoods are limited. They are the biggest demographic in the country but they have long been the most under-served, exploited and marginalized age group. This reality goes a long way to explaining why Lebanon is now experiencing such turmoil.

Lebanon needs youth development programs now more than ever. They can be the difference between despair and hope. By pivoting youth programs toward community engagement and efforts to alleviate suffering, youth can use the skills they learn to improve their communities.

Anera has just released a new report on the current situation. Take a look!

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February 14, 2020

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February 5, 2020

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February 1, 2020

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January 29, 2020

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January 25, 2020

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January 22, 2020

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January 21, 2020

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Many protest supporters in Lebanon are sharing selfies on social media to show their solidarity for a demonstrator who lost his eye at a protest.

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January 18, 2020

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January 16, 2020

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Lebanese people from all communities and faiths are coming together to support one another through these hard times. People are utilizing social media tools for positive ends. Many new Facebook groups have been created to exchange ideas, volunteering opportunities and crowd-source social support.

Environmental degradation and the mismanagement of natural resources are also major issues which protesters are calling attention to in many demonstrations.

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January 15, 2020

Roadblocks return in parts of the country. Anera advises our staff to check the roads and coordinate their whereabouts (this has been a regular occurrence since the protests began).

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January 6, 2020

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December 20, 2019

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December 18, 2019

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December 17, 2019

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December 17, 2019

A humanitarian crisis threatens Lebanon. We need your help.

by Samar El-Yassir, Anera Country Director in Lebanon

Lebanon is on the verge of a humanitarian emergency. Due to an escalating financial crisis sharpened by the mass protest movement, the economy is shutting down as are the social services that families depend on.

We do not know how or when this will end. We, and all of Lebanon, hope that the revolution remains peaceful. Civil war is still too fresh in all of our minds. All we can do for the time being is to continue working, as best we can, fulfilling Anera’s mission to provide humanitarian relief to those in need. Read more.

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December 12, 2019

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November 14, 2019

Lebanon: A Revolution — Inside/Out

by Serene Dardari, Anera Communications Manager in Lebanon

During my last two days in DC, news of the demonstrations started taking over the social media channels I follow. My friends were sharing nothing but posts and photos about the demonstrations. They were part of the demonstrations and just like everyone else, they were angry.

As a Syrian, I could only think to myself, “Is this it? Have the Lebanese people finally reached a tipping point of resentment and suffocation? I mean, how much pollution and deficiencies in the most basic public services can a population endure?” Read more.