Lebanon

Lebanon is going through a brutal multi-layered crisis with soaring humanitarian consequences. Acted has been responding both to the needs of most vulnerable Syrian refugees and Lebanese populations. Our humanitarian and development programmes focus on income generation, social stability, access to basic services, good governance and gender equality.

Mission context

Lebanon is in the midst of one of the most severe economic crises worldwide since the 19th century, adding to the devastating consequences of the Beirut port explosions and Covid-19 pandemic. The crises are compounding pre-existing vulnerabilities amongst communities that were already suffering from labour market exclusion, service gaps or inefficiencies, and socio-economic marginalisation. With hovering currency depreciation, collapsing public services, and basic commodities no longer affordable for most, the poverty rate reached a staggering 82% among all residents and 90% of Syrian refugees live in extreme poverty.

Acted in Lebanon

+526,000
beneficiaries in 2020
184
WASH facilities were built or restored
136
small and medium businesses were supported

In this rapidly changing and complex environment, Acted articulates long-term development support for a sustainable future, with targeted emergency response to the humanitarian crisis. Acted is firmly committed to long-term partnerships with local NGOs, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and working closely with authorities and municipalities for accountability and service continuity. Our innovative programmes target vulnerable communities to expand their sustainable access to water, wastewater and solid waste management. Our teams also support income generation and business continuity in the agriculture and economic sectors, evidencing the potential of circular economy to drive Lebanon’s green recovery, actively promoting gender equality, and designing joint grassroots initiatives that contribute to social cohesion.

The 3Zero in Lebanon

#ZEROExclusion & Poverty: Women have been particularly impacted by the crises in Lebanon, accentuating a gender gap that ranks among the highest in the world. Because nobody should be left behind, Acted supports women’s economic participation, while also addressing their protection concerns. Our programmes reach out to vulnerable women, small businesses and cooperatives with technical and empowerment trainings and coaching. Simultaneously, men and municipal staff take part in activities that build their understanding and community support for the economic empowerment of women.

Period poverty is now a reality in Lebanon, with 76% of women and girls in Lebanon facing difficulty in accessing menstrual products, primarily due to increase in price. In a first of this kind of a project in the country, Acted launched a local menstrual pad production line run by and for women in one of the most vulnerable localities of Tripoli, Lebanese city with the highest poverty rates. This initiative is providing jobs for the local community while producing quality and affordable pads for the marginalized neighborhoods.

Local cash for work programme participants manufacturing menstrual pads in the newly established production line. Safeguarding women’s essential dignity, self-respect and rights through capacity-building and income generating opportunities in the menstrual hygiene sector. Tripoli, Lebanon, February 2022 © ACTED.

Acted also partnered with the local NGO SIDC to promote the rights of people with diverse SOGIESC nation-wide in workplaces. Training and grants were provided to CSOs to implement advocacy and awareness implement, inclusivity scorecards were developed for businesses, and employees and employers received training on building a supportive work environment.

#ZeroExclusion: As more citizens look for alternative ways to meet their basic needs (e.g., electricity, water, or security) the more the system breaks down amid this growing distrust between citizen and state. Through direct engagement and support, Acted and its partners work with the public Water Establishments nationwide in place to meet citizen needs efficiently and equitably, hold institutions accountable, and improve communication.

#ZeroCarbon: Acted launched a project hiring and training vulnerable workers in the deprived Governorate of Akkar, to install rainwater harvesting systems on greenhouses, in villages under high water stress. Rainwater is thereby collected and channeled into a tank that is then used for drip irrigation in the greenhouses, reducing the need for groundwater pumping.

Women Economic Empowerment and Participation. Onsite training for Food Processing. Anjar, Beqaa Governate, Lebanon, April 2021 © ACTED.
Women Economic Empowerment and Participation. Onsite Beekeeping Training. Mdoukha, Beqaa Governate, Lebanon, June 2021 © ACTED.
Installation of Rain Water Harvesting systems on farms, by cash for work program participants. Sustainability, Income generation, and job creation through the support of irrigation and water collection infrastructure. Tal Abbas Gharbi, Lebanon, January 2022 © ACTED.
Program participants during the olive harvesting. Subsistence and economic activity support to MSMEs and the productive sector. South Governate, Lebanon, 2020 © ACTED.

Current projects

Empowering civil society and youth for an inclusive digital transformation
Cash assistance to address the immediate food and basic needs of Lebanese and migrants most severely impacted by the economic crisis
Pillar 2 and 3: Localized and more accountable, inclusive and coordinated humanitarian response across pockets of vulnerability across Baalbek and a second location to be identified
Sustainability, income generation and job creation through the support of irrigation and water collection infrastructure in Lebanon (Phase IV)
WASH assistance to support water governance and public water and wastewater services in Lebanon for host and refugee communities

Resources

Factsheet Circular Agriculture

Circular approaches, a lifeline for agriculture in distress
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Circular Agriculture Assessment

December 2022

Detailed findings from the Circular Agriculture Assessment
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April 2021

The Potential for Domestic Rainwater Harvesting in Lebanon
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June 2020

Towards a Circular Economy in Lebanon
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Emergency response

July 2017

ACTED's response to the Syrian crisis in Lebanon - 2016-2017
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ACTED’s Approach

October 2017

Landscape Regeneration and Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Lebanon
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ACTED Report

August 2018

Lebanon Olive & Honey Value Chains Analysis
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Acted Report

August 2018

Lebanon Honey Value Chain Analysis
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Acted Report

August 2018

Lebanon Olive Value Chain Analysis
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Urban residents under pressure: Social and economic impacts of compounding crises on vulnerable urban communities in Greater Beirut Urban
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Beirut Blast Rapid Needs Assessment Report
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August 2020

Beirut Port Explosions Zoom-in on shelter needs
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