Lebanon - Emergency Protection and WASH Support – Oxfam-Québec 2022-2023

January 2022 – Lebanon continues to host an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees the highest per capita concentration of refugees worldwide. Communities throughout the country are struggling to cope with the multifaceted crisis impacting Lebanon including dire economic conditions and political fragility. Essential services are crucially lacking with shortages of fuel medication and electricity affecting people’s ability to meet their basic needs. As personal savings erode and needs outpace available international assistance nine out of ten Syrians now live in extreme poverty while the vast majority of Lebanese are below the poverty line. With GAC’s support Oxfam-Québec is providing basic water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and protection services to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese. Project activities include: (1) providing new and rehabilitated sanitation facilities; (2) water trucking to vulnerable communities; (3) providing community hygiene volunteers with training and hygiene kits; and (4) providing case management and psychosocial support services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to gender-responsive WASH assistance and safe drinking water for refugees living in informal settlements; and (2) increased capacity of conflict-affected communities particularly women and girls to prevent and mitigate protection threats. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.