By Hiba Hamzi | Program Coordinator
Introduction;
Lebanon is facing a severe economic crisis that has deepened since 2019, impoverishing much of the population. The human rights situation worsened in 2023, marked by increased persecution of dissent and tighter restrictions on refugees. Following two months of conflict in the En El Helwe camp, a ceasefire was declared on September 30th. Nabaa's survey identified over 2,700 displaced households, with many in emergency shelters or living with family. In mid-October, Nabaa, in collaboration with Save the Children International, assisted 1,440 families with essential supplies. A subsequent assessment in November found 975 families still displaced in Saida, with significant barriers to returning home due to safety concerns and uninhabitable conditions.
UNRWA reports that nearly 86% of Palestinian refugees live in poverty, exacerbated by recent displacements. Key needs include food, bedding, and hygiene products. International organizations are planning financial support for minor and major home repairs.
In addition, UNRWA funds crisis (217 Million Dollar) worries Palestinian refugees and affect the education program where the financial crisis may force the suspension of services relating to the Agency’s education Programme. This would mean a delay in the school year for 34.000 students attending 70 schools and 2 vocational training centers across Lebanon. Palestinian children will be deprived of their right to education and make them at risk of either Joining Armed groups or increase the percentage of child labor.
Therefore, our project is considered as a high priority which responded to the needs and filling the gaps that facing the most vulnerable communities, particularly the youth and adolescents whom are dropped out of schools and suffering from multiple risk factors and disadvantages that impede their development, they form a distinct and disadvantaged sector, characterized not only by extreme poverty, but also by a mix of low status, limited opportunities, increased vulnerability, and social exclusion. High levels of stress and anxiety negatively affect their healthy growth and development. In addition to the phenomena of recruiting children inside the Palestinian camps started to be observed since the start of the Syrian crises and the arrival of the first wave of Syrian refugees to Lebanon mid of 2011, due to the burden of economic, social and political problems.
Child employment has recently increased as compared to the increase in the percentage of student failure at school, especially in the Palestinian community. This refers, first, to the bad economic situation of the employed children's families, which needs assistance in managing its economic issues. A second reason is the cultural inheritance of parents related to educating females and preferring them to quit school. A third reason is the teaching process followed in schools such as automatically passing children to the next grade level, that reaches to a level that a student finds himself/ herself in a progressive class when he/ she cannot even read or write. The student, then, faces educational challenges that causes him/ her to quit school, look for a job outside of school, or join the UNRWA training center, in case he/ she was accepted. The UNRWA training center is the only training center in Lebanon for Palestinians; Palestinian students usually cannot afford to the join the other training centers in Lebanon. This situation caused many children and young people to quit school and just stay jobless (simply staying at home or hanging out on streets or joining armed groups). The other ones have got employed even without learning how to practice a job; they used to do simple work and were abused by from their employers by receiving unfair pay for their working hours.
Main Achievements;
- Implemented Activities related to Expected Result1;
o Regular coordination meetings were held with different NGOs Coordination with UNCHR, UNRWA, two international organizations and five local NGOs, political groups, the aim of the meeting was to discuss the situation of the children and adolescents and the risks of associated them in the armed groups and updated them about the CAAFAG. Therefore, upon the discussion meetings with the active members and stakeholders, it is highlighted the following ;
o Confirming continuing the presence children recruitment in the Palestinian camps.
o The economic situation, ideology, the psychological factors such as self-prove, family tradition and protection are motives for children’s association with violent armed actions.
o The children involved in armed actions perform tasks such logistics works and informing through social media.
o The growth of the children recruitment phenomenon due to several relevant reasons.
- Implemented Activities related to Expected Result2;
o A comprehensive survey was completed with the young people, in the targeted locations, targeting 30 youth and adolescents (20 of them were selected based on the selection criteria.
o Enrolling 20 Adolescents in the vocational training
Based on the data collected from the questionnaires that have been filled with the youth and focus groups with parents and youth, a small market study was implemented. It was looking primarily on the labour market in Saida city, focusing on the careers proposed recommended by youth, in addition to the followings:
The market study targeted 3 vocational training centres identified in Saida, it was based on interviews with the head officers of these 3 centres and the filling of a questionnaire about the type of these professions, professions demanded by the labour market and the professions desired by the youth. The market survey thus includes:
Based on the information and the data collected at the beginning of the project, the project team invited all Local NGOs, active members and the popular committees in Ein EL Helwe camp aiming to discuss the main findings and to select the youth for the vocational training based on the criteria needed. So that, 10 youth were selected to join the vocational training 6 PRL, 2 PRS and 1 Palestinian from Iraq.
In addition, the Selection committee have been nominated and selected the most suitable vocational training centre, based on the available professions, the certificate they provide, and the quality and cost of the training and the number of hours they provided for the youth.
Empowerment and Capacity building for the 10 youth on Peer to peer; the main output of the training; the youth implemented 100 awareness raising workshops, led by them group in close coordination and cooperation with the project team 2000 youth and adolescents were targeted in the vocational training centers, youth organizations, scouts and in the neighborhood.
Case Study;
About four years ago, The palestinian refugee camp was shaken by the tragic case of a woman who was killed by her husband within the camp, leaving behind four children, all under the age of thirteen. The father, known for his drug use and violent behavior, fled to an unknown location. The children were left in the care of their elderly grandmother, who did her best to support them with the limited resources she had. In the midst of this hardship, a 13-year-old boy, the eldest of the siblings, stepped up and took on the responsibility of caring for his brothers and sisters. He dropped out of school and devoted most of his time to looking after them. By the time he turned seventeen, he had become their primary caregiver.
During this time, our team was conducting field visits to enroll young people in vocational training programs. One of his friends, who was part of our target group, mentioned the boy's interest in joining the program but explained that his difficult circumstances made it hard for him to commit fully, without revealing much detail.
Once vocational training began, his teacher noticed that the boy often seemed distracted and was frequently absent. Recognizing the need for intervention, we arranged for psychological support. He was referred to a psychologist who, together with the teacher and our team, developed a plan to help him. Although his home situation remained challenging, positive changes in his behavior began to emerge. He became more focused and dedicated to his training, and within a short time, he excelled in his chosen profession. He also learned to manage his time better, balancing his responsibilities at home with his newfound career, building new relationships, and taking better care of himself
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