Reducing the Economic and Social Vulnerability of Syrian Refugees and Lebanese in Lebanon is funded by the US Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. It is designed to reduce household economic vulnerability and reliance on harmful coping strategies by increasing access to livelihoods, protection information, and skills. This includes home-based livelihoods activities, vocational training, and guidance linked to savings and protection. These services take place at three livelihoods support hubs called Siraj Centers, established by NEF.
Beyond providing a safe and sustainable way to adapt, recover from adversity, and achieve economic stability, these efforts have many indirect impacts. These include decreasing feelings of isolation, increasing confidence, reducing family tensions, and empowering women and youth who are taking on the provider role within their families with greater frequency than ever before.
Between 2016 and 2018 the program has:
- Supported the capacity of two partners, Hadatha Association and arcenciel in three locations to deliver livelihoods support.
- Built skills of Lebanese and Syrian refugees (70% women) for the development of home-based productive activities.
- Through this initiative, 1,682 livelihoods activities were launched out of 1,773 granted.
- Increased safe access for 1,025 Lebanese and Syrian refugee adolescents (50% girls) to social resources, financial literacy, and savings.
NEF, in coordination with its partners, Hadatha Association and arcenciel, is tremendously proud to share the stories of the men, women and adolescents who have participated in these resilience-building efforts.
Stories and photos by Cassandra Mathie
