Donate for Lebanon
![[Translate to English:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/4/e/csm_libanon-nothilfe-luftangriffe-matratzen__kissen_und_mahlzeiten_2024-09_Copyright_Basmeh___Zeitooneh-DibProduction__22__0e20e9793f.jpg "[Translate to English:]")
Escalation of the Middle East conflict
Despite the ceasefire, the need in Lebanon remains great: in recent months, around one million people have had to leave their homes as a result of the heavy air strikes and the ground offensive. Many of them will not be able to return to their homes. Together with local partners, Help is providing emergency aid and supplying affected families in Lebanon with relief supplies and food.
We are urgently asking for donations!
How is Help providing support in Lebanon?
Despite ceasefire: humanitarian aid is still needed
In September 2024, countless heavy airstrikes on the south of Lebanon caused fear and panic among the Lebanese population. As a result, around one million people were displaced and sought refuge in the north of the country. Since the ceasefire came into force at the end of November 2024, many have made their way back to the south, but the situation remains dramatic. Many families will not be able to return to their homes as houses, flats and infrastructure have been destroyed.
We have therefore immediately adapted our aid on the ground: In addition to blankets, mattresses and pillows for the emergency shelters, we are also distributing food and hygiene items, and repair kits are planned for the repair of houses.
We are still urgently requesting donations for this:
Promoting economic stability
So far, Help has helped 179 micro and small enterprises in Lebanon to overcome the consequences of the economic crisis. True to our guiding principle of empowering people to help themselves, they receive financial assistance to renovate their business premises or finance urgently needed equipment and materials. Our focus is on companies that would have to go out of business without support.
We also supported 30 farmers in the Bekaa Valley, in the Lebanon Mountains and on the south coast in the agricultural production of vegetables such as potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes by providing natural fertilizer. In training sessions, they have learned how to use fewer chemicals with natural fertilizers and pest management, thereby reducing the burden on the soil. Farmers are already feeling the consequences of climate change, which is why sustainable adaptation in agriculture is urgently needed.
After the explosion in Beirut, Help helped affected families to rebuild their homes: Together with local partners, we renovated 54 apartments that were rendered uninhabitable by the explosion. 15 families with physically impaired family members were provided with needs-based equipment. Those affected also received psychosocial support and physiotherapy.
What is the situation like in Lebanon?
Middle East Conflict and economic crisis
The escalation of the Middle East conflict is having a dramatic impact on the people of Lebanon: In September 2024, there were heavy airstrikes on the south of the country and a ground offensive. As a result, around one million people have been displaced within the country. Many of them sought refuge in the north, but the emergency shelters do not offer enough space. Since the escalation of the Middle East conflict in October 2023, 4,047 people have been killed and 16,638 injured in Lebanon. A two-month ceasefire was agreed at the end of November 2024, but the plight of the people in Lebanon remains great.
Lebanon has been in the grip of a severe political and economic crisis since 2019. Since then, the Lebanese pound has lost around 90 percent of its value. The result: a rapid rise in poverty. Around 3.7 million of Lebanon's 5.2 million people are currently dependent on humanitarian aid. Many people can barely afford to eat and access to healthcare is inadequate. In addition, there are around 1.5 million refugees from Syria and over 200,000 Palestinian refugees living in the worst possible conditions.
The coronavirus pandemic, the explosion in the capital Beirut in August 2020 and the current developments in the Middle East conflict are exacerbating the crisis. As a result of the explosion, 300,000 people lost their homes and around 70,000 people became unemployed from one second to the next.
How Ibrahim saved his tailoring business in Beirut
"My grandfather and his brothers were already tailors and were well-known throughout Beirut in the 50s and 60s," 40-year-old Ibrahim tells us. Even as a child, he spent his afternoons in his grandfather's tailor shop and opened his own at the age of 23. However, like so many Beirut residents, Ibrahim was hit hard by the crisis. Due to inflation and the high cost of electricity, he was barely making a profit and was unable to replace broken equipment. Meanwhile, his store was almost bursting at the seams due to the limited space: "I often closed my store and went to my customers' homes to measure the clothes there."
With Help's support, Ibrahim was not only able to replace his broken ironing machine, but also expand his store space. "This help has really saved my business. Now my customers have space to change their clothes," says Ibrahim.
My income has increased, the quality of my work has improved and my customers are more satisfied. I have the feeling that I am living up to my family's reputation.
Ibrahim, Tailor
![[Translate to English:] Projektbesuch in Beaka Valley](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/c/csm_Libanon-Besuch_Thorsten_in_Bekaa_Valley_2024-05__396__edited.jpg_compressed_c996ec50e6.jpeg "[Translate to English:] Projektbesuch in Bekaa Valley")
![[Translate to English:] Projektbesuch in Beaka Valley](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/c/csm_Libanon-Besuch_Thorsten_in_Bekaa_Valley_2024-05__396__edited.jpg_compressed_7dbc901a3c.jpeg "[Translate to English:] Projektbesuch in Bekaa Valley")
Help people in Lebanon with your donation.
IBAN: DE47 3708 0040 0240 0030 00
BIC: DRES DE FF 370
Q&A
You would like to donate to aid projects in Lebanon? Help supports the Lebanese population in the economic stabilisation of the country and is currently providing emergency aid for those affected by the heavy air attacks. We are dependent on donations for this.
You can transfer your donation directly to our donation account:
Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V.
IBAN: DE47 3708 0040 0240 0030 00
BIC: DRES DE FF 370
Keyword: Lebanon
Alternatively, you can use our online donation form and donate by direct debit, PayPal or credit card: Donate online
There are currently around 1.5 million Syrian refugees and around 200,000 Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon. Since the escalation of the Middle East conflict in autumn 2023, numerous Lebanese families have also been displaced within the country. As a result of the airstrikes in September 2024, around one million more people were displaced within the country.
Our projects in Lebanon are funded by the following donors:
- Aktion Deutschland Hilft
- Deutsche Postcode Lotterie
Find out which local partners we are working with in Lebanon: Our partners