Help for Syrian Refugees

Hilfswerk International is committed to Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Every day we receive new terror reports from Syria. The suffering of the population, especially the children, is increasing. Hilfswerk International provides help in education, health, integration and psychosocial care.

In 2006, Hilfswerk International launched its first emergency aid program in Lebanon, where several hundred thousand people were fleeing the Middle East conflict. Until now the situation is tense: Since 2011, more than 400,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war, millions are fleeing to neighboring countries, such as Lebanon. Syrian families who have made their way to this neighboring country of Syria face difficult challenges in their new homeland: Half of the refugees from Syria are children and youth.

In Lebanon, 250,000 Syrian refugee children of school age have no possibility to get a place in school. Many children are already being forced into the informal labor market at the age of six.
Many refugee children suffer from the trauma they experienced before and during the flight.
Syrian refugees do not have access to the largely privatized, Lebanese health system. This is particularly hard for women and children, since medical care is particularly important during pregnancy and birth.
Conflicts between the Lebanese host society and Syrian refugees are increasingly problematic. These conflicts arise, among other things, from the tense labor and, housing situation and the overloaded infrastructure.

Quick, on-the-spot assistance is necessary in order to enable the youngest to escape the problematic situation. For this reason, Hilfswerk International helps on-site. Our activities include sustainable assistance to Syrian refugees and disadvantaged families of the Lebanese host society:

Education for Syrian refugees

In seven children's centers in Lebanon, we are promoting the education of Syrian refugee children. Many children have to wait for an education place because the schools are overloaded. Every Syrian child who has not been able to go to school for two years or more must attend a "catch-up course“, which is supported by Hilfswerk.

Vocational Training

Adolescents of Syrian refugees receive training with a state-recognized degree in vocational training centers. The young people receive not only job-related training, but also application assistance and the placement of internships. In this way they are gaining a new sense of self-confidence and new hope for the future.

Psychosocial Care

In communication groups and individual sessions with trained social workers and therapists, the children can talk about experiences with violence, illness, crime and death. The exchange helps the children to work out their experiences of war and flight from Syria. The focus is acceptance, self-confidence, plans for the future and more

Healthcare

Hilfswerk International provides access to health services for refugee women and children from Syria. We raise awareness among women on specific issues related to women's and children's health through workshops. We also distribute health and hygiene kits. In West-Bekaa, we are supporting a clinic near informal refugee camps.

Integration

Hilfswerk International helps with the integration of Syrian refugees through sport programs. Syrians often have to deal with prejudice and discrimination. In sport, cultural and social inequalities do not play a role; rather, children and young people are educated about integration and fair play. They learn how to value others.

Winterization

In the informal refugee camps thousands of Syrian refugee children suffer from the partly life-threatening weather conditions during wintertime. Hilfswerk International is distributing warm winter clothing to children to avoid health issues.

Nina Borufka

Regional Manager Middle East & North Africa