NRC's quick repairs team prepare to install temporary windows and doors in homes damaged by the Beirut port explosion on 4 August 2020. Photo: Zaynab Mayladan/NRC

NRC in Lebanon

NRC supports people affected by displacement living in Lebanon and advocates for their rights inside the country, regionally and internationally. We also work to serve the local communities that are hosting displaced people.

A total of

187,404

people in need received our assistance in 2022.

 

Humanitarian overview

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita: an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees and an estimated 257,000 Palestinian refugees. Lebanon is also facing compounding crises directly impacting basic and public services, in particular electricity, water supply, sanitation and education.

More than half of the Lebanese population is currently living below the national poverty line. For Syrian refugees, the figure is even higher, with nine out of ten refugee families currently living in extreme poverty. The Lebanese government has become very explicit in its position that returns of refugees to Syria should be prioritised given its own unprecedented crisis.

Refugees continue to deprioritise vital events registration and legal residency, with 84 per cent of Syrian refugees lacking legal residency permits. Palestinian refugees also continue to live in a precarious situation today with limited access to a range of basic rights. Given UNRWA’s limited funding for NGOs working in Palestinian communities, the needs of Palestinian refugees risk being left unaddressed.

  • 14,094
    people benefited from our education programme
  • 19,670
    people benefited from our shelter programme
  • 6,668
    people benefited from our camp management programme
  • 94,867
    people benefited from our ICLA programme
  • 63,006
    people benefited from our WASH programme

 

NRC's operation

NRC is supporting Syrian and Palestinian refugees, vulnerable Lebanese and migrants through the programmes listed below.

Beirut explosionBeirut PDF thumbnail.jpg

Since a devastating explosion shook Beirut on 4 August 2020, NRC has supported over 18,000 people with shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, psychosocial support for children, legal services and emergency cash assistance.

Read more about our activities (PDF, 292 KB)

 

NRC EducationEducation

We run programmes at our learning centres, support programming in Lebanese public schools and in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Our education activities include:

  • supporting access and transition to formal education through non-formal education programmes and school retention support
  • training teachers and enhancing their techniques through our Better Learning Programme
  • raising awareness of parents on the importance of education and their involvement in their children’s learning process
  • school rehabilitation

 

Youth

NRC’s youth programme supports both refugee and Lebanese youth with structured quality learning opportunities to facilitate their transition to livelihoods, social engagement and advanced education. We prioritise youth who are not enrolled in any form of education, employment or training (NEET) since this group is particularly at risk of both labour market and social exclusion.

Youth activities include:

  • competency-based technical and vocational training and life skills courses
  • accredited Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and online courses
  • stackable accredited language courses
  • recreational and social activities
  • post-graduation on the job training and youth-led community initiatives

 

 

NRC Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)

NRC Lebanon’s legal protection programme aims to improve the access to rights and essential services for refugees, Lebanese, migrant workers and other displaced people.

Our ICLA activities include:

  • supporting access to civil documentation, including the registration of life events, and legal residency
  • conflict dispute resolution including in the context of housing disputes and forced evictions
  • legal assistance and representation for refugees through lawyers
  • information provision on employment and housing land and property (HLP) rights
  • due diligence; confirming property ownership or usage rights
  • training sessions to other stakeholders on legal topics
  • targeted legal advocacy and policy work

 

NRC Shelter and settlementsShelter and settlements

NRC Lebanon’s shelter and settlement programme aims to facilitate access to safe, dignified and adequate housing for the most vulnerable, through both advocacy and programmes at the individual, household, community and policy level.

Our shelter activities include:

  • integrated housing and neighbourhood upgrades following a Settlement-Based Approach (SBA)
  • supporting municipalities in terms of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management
  • emergency shelter interventions, including in response to extreme weather conditions
  • cash for rent assistance for vulnerable families
  • housing maintenance and upgrades in exchange of various rental schemes (rent-freeze, rent reduction, rent-free or occupancy free of charge)

 

NRC Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) promotion

We work with communities and public service providers to expand water, sanitation and hygiene services for vulnerable population groups, including in Lebanese host communities. Our WASH programme has also been essential in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Lebanon.

Our WASH activities include:

  • integrating adequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities into our shelter interventions
  • water, wastewater and hygiene interventions at the individual, household and community level
  • piloting more sustainable water and wastewater solutions
  • supporting solid waste management at the municipality level

 

Emergency Response Unit

NRC Lebanon’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) responds to various emergencies (floods, fires, evictions etc.) in shock-prone communities across the country. ERU activities include:

  • the provision of basic assistance (mattresses and blankets, kitchen sets, hygiene kits, etc.) and shelter kits
  • site improvement and implementation of WASH activities
  • cash-based interventions

 

About NRC in Lebanon

Established
2006
International staff
24
Areas of operation
Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South, North and Bekaa
Budget 2021
USD 34 million
National staff
469

Contact

Country Director

Maureen Philippon

Phone

+961 (0)1 366 113 (4) (5)

To report any suspected, alleged or actual act of fraud, corruption, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation or abuse, and breaches of the Child Safeguarding Policy or Code of Conduct, related to or involving communities, contact the NRC Lebanon Community Helpline on 70 005 216 via:

  • WhatsApp at any time
    OR
  • Phone call or SMS text message from Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 3.30 pm.

You can also email lb.accountability@nrc.no, or use the comment boxes displayed in our centres by filling out and submitting the complaint form (available next to the boxes) or using your own template.

You can also use the Community Helpline to inquire about the services provided by NRC.


To inquire about our services, or to submit any complaint/feedback kindly find the following brochure.

لإستعلام عن خدماتنا أو لتقديم أي شكاوى أو ملاحظات الرجاء تصفح المنشورات التالية