Appeal for December. Meals for Refugees (Lebanon)

Appeal of the Month – A New Way to Help

Each month, the CGI’s COMMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL AID AND DEVELOPMENT (CIAD) will select a particularly worthwhile Society project, which is badly in need of funds, and invite the Society throughout the world to support it directly.

Normally, the CIAD would help such needy projects itself, but with COVID-19 and other demands on its limited funds, the CIAD cannot assist all worthwhile projects presented. We are, therefore, providing an opportunity for selected projects to appeal for the support of the international community of the Society through the medium of CGI’s website with the full endorsement of CIAD.

APPEAL FOR DECEMBER – MEALS FOR ELDERLY REFUGEES

The situation: “COMBATING URGENT FOOD POVERTY IN LEBANON”

The situation in Lebanon is desperate. For years the country has coped with a massive influx of migrants from war-torn neighbours, Syria and Iraq. There are now more than 1.5 million refugees in a country with a population of 4 million, which has resulted in a big increase in poverty in an already poor country.

SSVP Lebanon is very active and well structured, with over 50 Conferences assisting the poor in many ways (education, healthcare, welfare, etc.) and bringing help to many refugees in their homes or camps.

However, the country’s situation has recently worsened due to the combined effect of Covid pandemic, the collapse of political structures and the aftermath of Beirut’s blast.

The SSVP is struggling to keep on providing its services, but demand and needs have magnified while donations and available resources have decreased.

The appeal: FREE HOT MEALS FOR ELDERLY REFUGEES

One of the SSVP’s jeopardised vital services is the provision of free hot meals to elderly refugees. The three-course meals are prepared by “Mr Vincent” Catering (a special project undertaken by the National Council) and served to over 90 older refugees (sometimes accompanied by their grandchildren) in the premises of the National Council. Some home deliveries are also arranged.

With the increase in all the other demands, the funding for this project is under threat, notwithstanding the support received from the international Society through CIAD and other donors.

This is just not sufficient to meet all current demands.

How to help:

The Lebanese National Council needs €80,000 per year to support the food project for elderly refugees.

Being fully mindful of this need, the CIAD strongly supports this appeal: Members, Conferences and Councils of the SSVP throughout the world are encouraged to collaborate! Any help is welcome!

Your generosity will keep this vital project going and spare many elderly refugees from hunger and malnutrition.

For further information (including how to donate), please email cgi.ciad@ssvpglobal.org.

THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROSITY