Syrian Refugee Crisis

Millions of Syrian, Iraqi, Jordanian, and Lebanese families are struggling for survival, either because war has torn them from their homes, or they live in communities stressed by an influx of refugees and displaced families. Disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosion in Beirut have worsened conditions.

World Vision supports faith-based partners in these countries to respond to the urgent and long-term needs of refugees and displaced people in their midst. As of March 2021, this project reached 845,607 people.

Gaining skills to rebuild

Much of our partners’ efforts focused on empowering community members to rebuild their livelihoods and equipping youth with valuable skills. In Iraq, our partners organized business training, which included coaching, mentoring, and micro-grants for people to invest in their businesses.

In Jordan, 147 youth took classes at a digital learning lab run by Messengers of Peace, learning life skills and earning a global computer literacy certification. Also, 217 youth finished English courses through a new partnership with a local Greek Orthodox Church.

Caring for mind, body, and soul

Our partners in Lebanon were quick to adapt their programming to COVID-19 restrictions, such as conducting online early education, life skills, and psychosocial support sessions for 1,095 children. They also distributed food, hygiene, and disinfection kits to 3,217 people.

During 2021, a new network of faith leaders and faith-based organizations in Lebanon was created to mobilize people to advocate for child protection and social justice issues. The network will implement World Vision’s Channels of Hope COVID-19 vaccine module among faith leaders, equipping them to help people better understand and address concerns about the vaccine, in hopes of increasing vaccinations.

In Syria, we continued supporting a health clinic, which benefited 10,300 people during the first half of 2021, and continued working with a dialysis center, which reached a monthly average of 125 patients. In partnership with a new church partner, we distributed more than 2,000 hygiene kits to families.

(Photo) Orthodox Youth Movement (OYM), World Vision’s partner in Lebanon, distributed drawing kits to youth as part of a three-month project to bridge the divide between the host community and refugees in the Beqaa area. The project culminated in an exhibition at a local museum and cultural center showcasing the images and stories of children, reflecting the social barriers that were overcome through the project.