Lebanon

HI’s work in Lebanon aims to increase the involvement of people with disabilities and vulnerable people in community life, both physically and in terms of professional, cultural and social inclusion. As a result of the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict in Syria, HI has also rolled out emergency projects aimed at the affected population groups (refugees and host populations).

Ahlam, a young Syrian amputee, Lebanon - HI | © Elias Saade / HI

Our actions

HI started work in Lebanon in 1992 in the Palestinian refugee camps and clusters (rehabilitation and promoting the rights of people with disabilities, and mental health work). The association has since provided emergency assistance in the crisis situations that have rocked the country and region. Since 2011, HI has been supporting Syrian refugees and the Lebanese community affected by the war in Syria.

In North Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, HI ensures that people with disabilities receive appropriate emergency care such as rehabilitation, assistive devices (prostheses and orthotics) and psychosocial support.

HI is also carrying out mine clearance operations in the north of the country following the 2006 Israeli–Lebanese conflict. It provides psychological and psychosocial support to Palestinian refugee children and is helping people with disabilities campaign for their rights.
HI also supports the inclusion of children with disability at school in the country.

Areas of intervention

Latest stories

Emergency Rehabilitation

Supporting Syrian refugees now and into the future.

HI mine clearance in northern Lebanon

"The self-help group has given me hope again"

Country situation

Lebanon has high quality services, notably health, education and social welfare. However, people with disabilities, particularly in rural and isolated areas, find it hard to access these services.

Lebanon is also home to a large community of Palestinian refugees, who mainly live in informal camps. These refugees find it particularly difficult to access health and education services.

Additionally, the fighting in Syria has forced hundreds of thousands of Syrians to take refuge in the neighbouring countries, including Lebanon. These populations are becoming increasingly vulnerable over time. On arrival, new refugees find themselves in an unknown environment and sometimes have no resources. They very often require emergency assistance, primarily to treat their physical and psychological injuries.

Finally, as a result of several decades of intermittent conflict and despite 15 years of clearance efforts, the population continues to be affected by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), with some victims requiring life-long assistance to live with their injuries.

Number of HI staff members: 90
Date the programme opened: 1992

Download the country file (pdf, 493.42 KB)

HI is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

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