History of Country

Lebanon, a small country on the Mediterranean coast, is home to 3.6 million people. Its population is made up of many ethnic and religious groups, including Muslims, Christians and Druze.

More than 400,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon. Many of them have never lived in permanent accommodation and are bringing up the fourth generation of their family within camps.

Palestinian refugees do not have the same legal rights as Lebanese nationals, making it hard to find jobs and access public services, such as schools and hospitals. Many therefore rely on humanitarian aid for survival.

War

In 2006, military strikes across Lebanon killed 1,100 civilians and left thousands more wounded. An estimated 900,000 people were forced to flee their homes during the conflict.

The impact of the war was heaviest in southern Lebanon where homes, hospitals, roads, bridges, reservoirs and electricity plants came under aerial bombardment.

Despite the ceasefire on 14 August 2006, many Lebanese still face the dangers of conflict and are returning home amidst unexploded bomblets and ordnance.

Islamic Relief's History in Lebanon

Many parts of Lebanon are still recovering from the 2006 conflict

During the recent conflict, IR was the first international aid agency to reach the people of Qana in southern Lebanon. Only two other international relief agencies were active in the area at the time. As part of the emergency response effort, IR distributed food, clean water, hygiene kits, sleeping mats and hot meals to people in Tyre, Nabatiye, Saida and the Bekaa Valley. IR is still working in remote rural areas along the southern border, where conditions have not improved as quickly as in other parts of the country. The emergency now over, IR is focussing on recovery activities, such as hospital rehabilitation and repairing water facilities. This includes the completion of seven reservoir repairs and providing three pump systems. IR is also assessing the shelter and livelihood needs for war-affected communities.