INTERSOS in partnership with Premiere Urgence International (PUI) and with the support of Global Affairs Canada continues to support the population of Akkar and Tripoli governorates through an integrated health and protection response
Lebanon is currently dealing with a severe multi-sectoral crisis, further aggravated in 2020/2021 by factors such as financial and economic collapse, fuel crisis, COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of the Blast occurred in the Port of Beirut in August 2020. Therefore, both food prices and the poverty rate have risen steeply in Lebanon, leaving vulnerable groups from Lebanese and Refugees communities in continuous search for a way to survive.
In such a situation, Gender Based Violence (GBV) has been identified as one of the most sensitive and diffused protection incidents, yet one of the least reported. Data from the GBVIMS Q2 2020 indicated a 2% increase of female survivors (99%) compared to Q1 2020 (97%), demonstrating the continuously disproportionate impact of COVID-19 and the economic situation on women and girls. People at risk of GBV, marginalisation and discrimination like women and girls, migrant workers, persons with disabilities and persons from the LGBTQIA+ community, face increased exposure to abuse, exploitation and violence in addition to barriers to accessing services. As a consequence, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) have been identified as very limited, especially in isolated locations, for all vulnerable people. Women continue to suffer from pregnancy/birth complications as well as a high risk of mortality due to lack of necessary care or follow up linked to financial barriers.
Improving the access to protection services for over 7,000 people
Thanks to the funding of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), together with PUI we are providing health and protection services that will actively strive to identify and support the most marginalised people. The main purpose of the project is to improve Sexual Reproductive Health rights and services’ awareness and enhance protection in North Lebanon for more than 7,000 vulnerable people. Specifically, INTERSOS and PUI have established and deployed 3 multidisciplinary teams engaged in the outreach activities (composed of midwives, a social worker and caseworkers) supporting three Primary Health Centers (PHCs) located in Khreibet el Jundi, Berqayel and Miriyata (Akkar and Tripoli districts) and characterized by a high number of vulnerable host and refugee communities. As poverty rates and the prices of public and private hospitals have risen, the importance of PHCs has increased significantly. Also central is the role of INTERSOS caseworkers who work in the centers establishing relationships of trust with the people we assist and referring them to the appropriate services.
“The number of people we receive is huge on a daily basis, I am really happy to work in this field and do my best to help my society” said Mahmoud, one of INTERSOS caseworkers involved in the project, and added “Also the number of men and boys who reveal their problems and stories motivates me to keep contributing and giving my best.” So far, INTERSOS team has reached out and counselled about 225 people who experienced gender-based violence, some of which are LGBTQIA+ community members, and most of the other cases are women over 18.
“I was very lucky that my friend told me about INTERSOS. When I first met Nermine, INTERSOS social worker, I was terrified of asking for help and informing her of my story, but after the second session with her I opened up and revealed my story to her” said Firyal and added “Now I live in peace and have a better and healthier relationship with my family”.