Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Al-Sayed, announced a package of urgent measures aimed at supporting families affected by war and displacement. This came in conjunction with the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Rima Karami, reviewing the latest developments in the educational sector and the plans that have been adopted to ensure the continuation of the educational process in light of these exceptional circumstances.
Al-Sayed stressed that the government is committed to mitigating the effects of displacement and war, stressing that its primary responsibility lies in supporting citizens in all Lebanese regions, especially those who found themselves victims of a war they did not choose.
She added that out of interest in supporting the most vulnerable groups, especially people with disabilities, the Ministry of Social Affairs activated the emergency response to the cash allowance program designated for people with disabilities, with the aim of supporting families affected by the war.
She explained that, thanks to the support of UNICEF and the International Labor Organization, starting tomorrow, one-time financial assistance worth $100 will be disbursed to “6,000 families” with children with disabilities between the ages of “0 and 19 years” from the areas affected by the bombing. She indicated that the number of beneficiary families will be gradually increased according to developments in the situation and the availability of funding.
She added that the scheduled payments will also be disbursed to all the primary beneficiaries of the program, which number about “34 thousand beneficiaries,” starting tomorrow instead of next week, in order to help families bear the additional burdens imposed by the crisis.
In a related context, she announced that starting tomorrow, “100,000 hot meals per day” will be distributed in shelter centers, noting that since the beginning of the crisis, half a million meals have been distributed to the displaced in these centers thanks to the efforts of workers in the food sector.
Al-Sayed revealed that she received at Beirut Airport the first aid plane within the humanitarian air bridge designated for the Ministry of Social Affairs, with support from the European Union through UNICEF, which included “45 tons” of emergency supplies to help “400,000 people” affected by displacement.
She indicated that the shipment includes basic materials for displaced children and families, including first aid materials and special supplies for children, and will be distributed through shelter centers to ensure that support reaches the most needy, especially children who bear the greatest burden in this crisis.
At the conclusion of her statement, Al-Sayed expressed her thanks to the European Union and all international partners for their support for Lebanon in these difficult circumstances.
