In Arsal, Lebanon, a border town in the hills above the Bekaa Valley, there are some 60,000 Syrian refugees living in scattered, mostly tented, accommodation amongst a Lebanese population of 35,000. A survey has shown that amongst them there are 230 children between the ages of 5 and 12 whose carers are relatives other than their parents, or unrelated. Many of these live in particularly difficult circumstances. Non-attendance at school, inadequate supervision, child labour are common: these, and others where more specific abuse is reported, are the group targeted by this project.
Project Goals
Unaccompanied children
80% of the refugees are dispersed into overcrowded 146 randomly situated camps spread around the outskirts of the town, most of which suffer from very poor environmental and living conditions.
Families live in -like structures with a wooden framework covered with plastic sheets and a wall at most five cement blocks (one meter) high which is all that the Lebanese authorities will allow. The average area of a tent is 26 square meters including a kitchen area, and living and sleeping quarters.
20% of the refugees live in residential neighbourhoods in garages, houses under construction and small rooms inside residential floors often built specifically to be rented to refugees.
Respite Centre
The respite centre will offer safe and fully supervised :
Staffing will comprise 3 teachers and management, assisted by specialists as required. Staff will be from amongst the refugee community who have a range of skills and will offer employment back to the refugee community.
Premises: suitable premises have been identified and will be rented on a ongoing basis.
“Blessed is the wealth of the Muslim, from which he gives
to the poor the orphan and the wayfarer”
SUPPORTERS
Idris Asefi
Madina Chamaa
Eb Ya
Anonymous
Anonymous
Ahed Alhjouj
Aya Sk
Hassan Waris
Anonymous
Haroon Akhtar
