Middle East Council of Churches
(MECC)
Within the framework of the action of the UNHCR
in Lebanon, some NGOs, especially Caritas and the MECC, provide help to
refugees.
Problems encountered by
refugees
Sudanese, Iraqis, Somalis refugees and others
live in an illegal situation. Their illegal entry to Lebanon does not entitle
them to any legal status or work pursuit. Presently, refugees living conditions
are extremely difficult: they constantly fear arrest, imprisonment and
deportation because of their illegal status. In prison, the treatment of
refugees is literally inhuman, in contradiction with all international
instruments.
Social Situation:
-
Work is irregular for refugees. In most
cases, they get fired because of the Lebanese Authorities restrictions on the
illegal presence of foreigners. Refugees are also subject to exploitation: low
wages, lack of respect...
-
Their housing in unhealthy and unfit places
or building and in dirty neighborhoods results from the lack of financial
means.
-
Refugees find it difficult to pay school
tuition that are generally high; they are forced in most cases to take their
children out from school and send them to work.
-
Refugees cannot afford to pay their medical
treatment or bills.
-
Psychological problems :
- Anxiety and
fear
- Loneliness, disorientation and feeling of strangeness, especially
among young single refugees
- Uprooting
- Racial discrimination and
exploitation, feeling of inferiority
- Total absence of planing
future
MECC assistance to
refugees1:
Besides protection, refugees are assisted with
the following services:
-
Counseling
-
Monthly financial aid to refugee
families
-
Medical assistance (medicine consultations
and tests)
-
School assistance and vocational
training
-
Special care to women (creation of
solidarity groups to help women refugees assist each other ; health and
educational training sessions to build women capacities to sustain their family
and children)
-
Special care for children (enroll them in
educational and leisure activities)
A consultative session was held at the
initiative of the "MECC Life and Service Department" to address the situation
of foreigners in prison. One of the recommendations of this session was to
organize training sessions to social workers dealing with prisoners.
One of the MECC social worker visits regularly
refugees in detention to provide them moral support and answers some of their
urgent needs.
Cooperation between the MECC and the
UNHCR:
A partnership has been established between the
office of the UNHCR in Lebanon and the MECC, whereby the "Life and Service
Department" ensures direct assistance to refugees, migrants and displaced
persons to help them overcome their daily problems, and improve their living
conditions according to their needs.
_________________________________
1.
This assistance includes displaced persons and migrant workers.
LEBANESE
NGO FORUM (LNF)
CARITAS-LEBANON
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