“It’s more than just the food it’s knowing that others care about us and want to help, It makes a huge difference emotionally.” 

Ghina, a mother of two from Beirut.

For Social Justice Day, we are highlighting a family centred project in Lebanon which is supporting vulnerable and food insecure families with aid but also providing workshops to empower marginalised families to be aware and advocate for their rights.

In Lebanon many families face social exclusion and children of mixed-ethnic background often suffer racism. These families are essentially stateless, and inequality overshadows all aspects of everyday life.

Partnered with  MASIR Association for Human Rights, the family-orientated project has focused on supporting discriminated families in a number of ways from school supplies, vocational trainings for mothers and food aid.

On a daily basis, MASIR received multiple calls and requests for food rations and medications from desperate families via the MASIR hotline.

Your support has meant that last year alone we were able to help so many stateless families who are unfairly excluded from social protections within their country.

Needy families were provided a number of food boxes across Lebanon, including Beirut, the North, Bekaa, and the South.

“I was really relieved to receive food boxes, which solved my immediate food issues. This assistance enabled me to focus on something else in order to meet other family needs. I have a deep appreciation for your help during a difficult period.” 

Shaza, a single mother from Bekaa.

In partnership with a pharmacy in Beirut, the project also identified and supported sick individuals who urgently required medication but could not afford it – these people were not abandoned and received necessary treatment.

A key component to the MASIR project is focused on advocating for the rights of people forced into desperate conditions.

Awareness sessions in Beirut, specifically targeting boys, about rights, duties and how to fight for their rights also accompanied the food aid supports.

The featured image above shows, Moustafa Nakshbandi MASIR director, empowering boys aged between 11 and 16 – the trainings have given young boys knowledge of their rights and duties, allowing them to advocate for themselves. This empowerment goes beyond the participants themselves, influencing their peers and building positive change.

Thanks to support like yours, food insecure families are not left behind and are empowered to enact change in their communities

You can find out more about the MASIR project: here