Nesrine Assaf

Caritas Lebanon

Caritas Lebanon is an organization founded in 1972 in Southern Lebanon and officially authorized in 1976, to serve the poorest without any discrimination throughout Lebanon. At the outset, it provided only humanitarian assistance but was obliged to intervene in various areas and diversified its activities. These include medical, social, socio-pastoral, assistance to refugees and migrants, emergency intervention, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and economic development. Caritas Lebanon provides a remedial and preventive health service via its medical and social centers, which are spread throughout Lebanon, while its mobile clinics travel within the country, especially in rural areas. Social work is one of the organization's priorities, aimed at respecting the dignity of the most vulnerable people. Various centers and projects have been set up for the protection and promotion of disadvantaged children, as well as for children with specific needs. Various activities and clubs are dedicated to the elderly. Caritas Lebanon offers all kinds of humanitarian assistance to migrants at its Migrants Center. Advocacy actions are carried out in collaboration with the Lebanese authorities, UN agencies, embassies, and overseas delegations regarding respect for human rights. Caritas Lebanon is always ready to intervene in emergency situations. Therefore, since the onset of the Syrian crisis in March 2011, it has provided sustained assistance to Syrian refugees. Caritas Lebanon sets up economic development projects in order to contribute to the development of the most vulnerable communities and individuals in rural areas by making them self-sufficient. Caritas Lebanon works in cooperation with government ministries and authorities and various non-governmental organizations. At the international level and beyond the Caritas Confederation network, several partnerships are in place with the European Union, UN agencies, USAID, and other organizations.