On September 1st, 2016, Handicap International and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) renewed their partnership, enabling the humanitarian organization to continue providing assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
The goal of this new yearlong project in the Beqaa Valley and in Tripoli/Akkar (Lebanon) is to address the essential needs of the most vulnerable Syrian crisis affected persons in the country.
This project includes the delivery of various services such as rehabilitation sessions, distribution of assistive and mobility devices, prosthesis and orthotics, complementary items but also psycho-social support to injured and/or Syrian refugees with disabilities.
An inclusion component, aimed at offering coaching to other humanitarian organizations seeking to improve inclusion and accessibility in their programming, was also incorporated to the project.
Aside from these activities, a key focus is now put on the implementation of partnerships with Lebanese organizations in each broad geographical area of intervention across Lebanon. The goal is for Handicap International to promote local ownership and sustainability of services, in line with the priorities established by the humanitarian community and national authorities.
The successful cooperation between BPRM and Handicap International has already allowed thousands Syrians with physical and functional limitations to attend rehabilitation sessions, to be provided with assistive devices and to have access to psycho-social support in Lebanon. This partnership renewal will guarantee that such services are still made available for Syrian refugees in the country.
Handicap International: Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Handicap International supports people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations living in conflict and disaster zones and in situations of exclusion and extreme poverty.
The Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration (BPRM): The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration provides aid and sustainable solutions for refugees, victims of conflict and stateless people around the world, through repatriation, local integration, and resettlement in the United States.
Handicap International and the Syrian crisis: More than 830,000 people have benefited from Handicap International’s actions since the organization launched its operations in 2012. The organization provides physical rehabilitation services and psychological support, and distributes emergency aid to meet the basic needs of casualties, people with disabilities and particularly vulnerable individuals. Handicap International also issues awareness raising and safety messages targeted at local populations to prevent accidents caused by explosive remnants of war.