Quarterly highlights – Q4 2018
January 4, 2019
Journey of a mother
March 21, 2019In the bleak mid-winter
In 2018-2019, Lebanon and Syria went through one of the harshest winters in many years as they were hit by intense storms, heavy rain, and snowfall leading to floods and freezing temperatures that severely affected numerous families living in makeshift settlements and poorly insulated dwellings. Our partners on the ground were needed more than ever and the winter items they distributed made an even bigger difference in the lives of thousands of households.
Facing the harshest winter in many years
This winter in Lebanon, heavy rainfall, snow, high winds, and flooding from two large storms resulted in one death, the evacuation or displacement of almost 2,000 refugees, and adversely affected more than 25,600 refugees across over 630 informal settlements in Lebanon.[1] Many refugees had to temporarily move, although many preferred to stay in sites that were fully flooded and wait until water levels receded, citing fears of not being able to return later.
In Syria, internally displaced and extremely vulnerable Syrian families had to shiver their way through the first two weeks of 2019 as excessive rainfall, snow and freezing temperatures swept across the country. Long hours of electricity cut-offs and low fuel supplies also added to the suffering of thousands of families.
Making an even bigger difference
MERATH’s support for its local partners enabled families to stay sufficiently warm in the face of the bitter cold.
Mohaned, Fadia, and their five children have lived in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley for the past three years.
Their means of survival is the assistance they receive from our church partner, as Mohaned cannot work due to a disability that causes him to have severe headaches, especially during extreme hot or cold temperatures.
This winter was way harsher than the previous ones. My family and I had to sleep on the floor of our tent with a few old blankets until the local church gave us eight new blankets and four mattresses.
Our local partners in Lebanon provided thousands of households like Mohaned’s with around 5,000 blankets, 2,500 mattresses and fuel vouchers, 2,000 boots, coats, socks or sweaters, and 130 heaters. In addition, our local partners in Syria distributed more than 2,300 blankets, nearly 1,000 cash stipends for fuel and warm clothes, 150 heaters, and coats and boots to vulnerable families.
We hope and pray that the next winter will be more lenient, but we need your prayers now and help to ensure a timely and harmonized response to the needs of affected individuals in case of a similar crisis. As huge as the needs are, even a small contribution makes a big difference in the life of one family.
HELP MORE FAMILIES STAY WARM DURING HARSH WINTERS
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