NGO Jafra Foundation

Context

According to the World Bank, Lebanon is experiencing one of the worst economic crises since 1850, with a currency devalued by 90%, inflation of 190% fuelled by external dependence and the destabilisation of the cereal sector caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war. The impoverishment of the population has accelerated, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. This difficult socio-economic situation is coupled with growing political instability since the end of former President Michel Aoun's term in October 2022.

This dire situation for the Lebanese is compounded by the refugee populations that have flooded in as a result of regional crises. Some 211,000 Palestinian refugees and 1.2 million Syrian refugees have added to the complexity of a country with a population of 2.3 million Lebanese. Living conditions in the makeshift camps are very difficult and subject to all kinds of adverse weather conditions, including flooding and extreme heat. The government has imposed a series of legal and administrative restrictions to prevent refugees from settling there on a long-term basis, restricting them to sectors where they are underpaid and unprotected, such as construction and agriculture. Refugees rely heavily on assistance from UNRWA (United Nation Relief and Works Agency) and UNHCR (United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees) and various NGOs for Syrians.

Living as a refugee in a camp is a daily challenge, even more so when the camp is located in a country with socio-economic and political difficulties such as Lebanon. Opportunities are limited for the refugee population, most of whom are young and struggle to get the education and training they need to thrive in society.

Project

The Palestinian organisation Jafra Foundation works to build resilience in Palestinian refugee communities by strengthening participation mechanisms and providing alternatives to develop the potential of young people and women in particular. Since 2018, the organisation, originally based in Syria, has developed its activities in Lebanon and now works in five different regions: Shatila and Bourj el Barajneh in Beirut, Ain El Hilweh in the south and the Beddazi and Mankubeen camps in Tripoli.

The Jafra Foundation aims to promote a culture of volunteerism, improve skills and develop economic empowerment programmes, particularly for young people, so that they can play an active role in society, all in the spirit of strengthening Palestinian identity. In Yarmouk, Syria, the capital of the Palestinian diaspora, the Jafra Foundation has established the Jafra Youth Centre, which offers artistic and cultural programmes, national events, specialised courses in leadership, languages and computer skills.

Results

Based on the same principle, the organisation is developing several activities in the various Palestinian camps, the first of which is a food production programme. Cooking classes are given to refugees, and the food is distributed to the most vulnerable through home delivery, preserving their dignity. This production helps to ensure food security in the camps, while building the capacity of women through training and raising awareness of the benefits of healthy eating. The aim is to make the camps productive to ensure the long-term survival of families who have been marginalised and impoverished by successive crises in the country.

The organisation's Green the Camps programme also runs an agricultural training programme, particularly in urban agriculture, in the camps, using accessible and unused spaces. Refugees are trained in urban farming techniques, organic rooftop farming, soil preparation, composting and integrated pest management. This programme helps to improve the condition of the camps by adding greenery, but the surpluses are also essential as they help to create systems of solidarity between families. The plants help to clean the air and create an environment that is conducive to the development of diverse biodiversity. These areas are also used for educational activities for children and young people. To date, the Foundation has financed 200 small and medium-sized projects. The communities are regularly monitored by an agronomist to help them put their knowledge into practice.

Little Extra

The organisation has a training centre in the Hamra district of Beirut, where it offers specialised courses based on the needs of the Lebanese labour market and the needs of refugees. Courses in baking and pastry-making are available to young people to develop their skills by learning how to make bread, classic desserts and pastries. Courses in solar energy and organisational management are also offered.

This initiative sheet was written by Lana KHOUILDI, an LF volunteer in May 2023.

Sources

Last modification : 29 Dec 2023.