Health on wheels
Lebanon is in the midst of a severe economic crisis. High levels of poverty, unemployment and inflation characterize the everyday lives of many people. The healthcare system is largely privatized. Hence, those without financial means have difficulties accessing medical care. Internal conflicts and the escalation of the Middle East conflict, which has spread to the south of Lebanon, are placing an additional burden on the healthcare system.
Vulnerable population groups, such as people with disabilities and the elderly, are particularly affected by the effects of these crises. Health on Wheels 4 is a joint project with Volkshilfe Austria and our local partner organization Mousawat. The aim is to provide people with disabilities and older people in Beirut with access to medical care, thereby helping them to achieve greater independence and quality of life. The mobile clinic offers free general medical treatment, physiotherapy, psychotherapy and counseling. It also provides medication and aids such as wheelchairs, prostheses and hearing aids.
Around 100,000 Lebanese men and women have been displaced by the armed conflict. They are scattered throughout the area between Beirut and the south of the country, with many staying in schools and public buildings, others with relatives or in rented accommodation if they can afford it. After almost ten months, many have exhausted their reserves and are completely dependent on aid from UN agencies and NGOs. There is great concern that the situation will continue or escalate.
Kassem Sabbah, director of Mousawat
Aid for internally displaced persons
We have been working with Mousawat since the escalation of the Middle East conflict in October 2023 to prepare for the care of displaced and injured people in Lebanon. For example, employees have been equipped with hard hats and protective clothing. In Beirut and in the coastal towns of Jiyeh, Tyros and Sidon, warehouses for relief supplies were stocked up. Many civilians are at risk due to the spread of the Middle East conflict to the south of Lebanon. Overall, the water supply for 100,000 people has been affected. Health facilities have also been damaged. More than 95,000 people have had to leave their homes near the border and are living as internally displaced persons in other parts of the country (as of June 2024).
In addition to our regular project activities, we have therefore initiated humanitarian aid measures. Since March 2024, food and hygiene packages as well as medical supplies and mobility assistance have been distributed to displaced families. There is a particular focus on the injured and people with disabilities. Almost all relief supplies have now been distributed from the camps, but the need remains high due to the high number of internally displaced people. An ambulance (mobile clinic) with doctors and nurses is available for further emergency measures.
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AWO International
IBAN: DE87 3702 0500 0003 2211 00
Keyword: Emergency Relief Middle East
AWO International is a member of 'Aktion Deutschland Hilft'.
Aktion Deutschland Hilft
IBAN DE62 3702 0500 0000 1020 30
Keyword: Emergency Relief Middle East
The Mousawat team uses the mobile clinic to visit people with disabilities and support them with psychotherapy and physiotherapy programmes.
Since the Middle East conflict escalated in neighbouring Gaza, Mousawat has also been preparing to provide emergency aid in Lebanon and stocking up on supplies.
Since March 2024, food and hygiene parcels, as well as medical supplies and mobility assistance, have been distributed to internally displaced families.
Projectinfo
| Project | Health on wheels: Mobile clinic for vulnerable groups in crisis-ridden Lebanon |
|---|---|
| Place/Region | Beirut, Mountain Libanon |
| Partner | Volkshilfe Solidarität (Österreich), Mousawat (Libanon) |
| Activities |
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| Duration | 15. Oktober 2023 bis 15. April 2025 |
| Budget | 120.000 Euro |
| Sponsor | Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH) |