ARM has been working on distributing food packages and hygiene kits to migrant and refugee families in the context of the pandemic since May 2020. For that, we are relying heavily on our main advantage in the field: our extensive networks of migrant community members, which we have built up over the past decade through our Migrant Community Centers.
As has been well documented, migrant workers’ situation has progressively worsened in the past year (pandemic, loss of income, stuck in Lebanon, loss of shelter, etc). For many migrants affected by the blast, their top priority is to find a way to finally leave Lebanon and go back home, rather than fix the house they may be evicted from any day.
The August 4 Beirut explosion left over 300,000 people homeless. There is an urgent need to rebuild houses, or at least make them temporarily livable, which will require a lot of money and time, especially due to the sudden surge in demand for materials and repairmen. Immediate shelter is especially important due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to self-isolate. Sadly, this rebuilding process will be especially difficult due to the economic crisis, hyperinflation, and soaring unemployment rates in Lebanon, which are disproportionately affecting marginalized groups who do not have access to stable work or social support systems.
To donate, there are two options:
1. Through online transfers on our Givingloop page: https://www.givingloop.org/mcc
2. Through our bank account as per the details below:
Account Holder Name: Anti-Racism Movement
Bank Name: Blom Bank SAL
Branch Address: Koraytem, Takieddine Solh St., Ghalayini Bldg. Beirut Lebanon
Account Number: 1268367
IBAN CODE: LB26 0014 0000 1802 3531 2683 6718
SWIFT Code: BLOM LBBX
Telephone: 961 1 800081
Fax: 961 1 800032
P.O. Box: 11-1912
Information for volunteers and supporters
Food Distributions
ARM continues its solidarity initiative to respond to the food shortage among migrant communities across Lebanon. We’ve distributed 2958 kits (including food, hygiene, add-ons for women, add-ons for babies) reaching 6295 people to-date. The food kits include: rice, pasta, chaariyeh, flour, burghul, potatoes, lentils, foul, hummus, peas, kidney beans, tomato paste, sugar, salt, vegetable oil, that are distributed in varying amounts depending on the size of every household. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our donors and volunteers. If you wish to volunteer, kindly contact volunteer@armlebanon.org
Housing Support
In partnership with Public Works, ARM continues to support migrant communities with casework and case-based advocacy against mass evictions. To-date, ARM received 596 requests for support, of which 200 were assessed and supported, of which 23 are facing immediate threat of eviction, 53 were successfully deterred, 111 are in progress of field visits, negotiation, referral, and/or monitoring, 23 were evicted, and 396 are still pending assessment for intervention. We are receiving daily cases so the numbers keep increasing, some old cases that were resolved are now facing eviction threats again. Even though the number of resolved cases looks stable, old cases that were resolved before require our intervention again. This has made us do less intakes to focus on dealing with old cases. Illegal forced evictions are still taking place; Abusive behavior sometimes from landlords: physical violence, confiscating papers or personal belongings, locking up the house with the tenants inside or outside of it, cutting off electricity or water. We're working with cases facing over 3 months of unpaid rent, which makes it very difficult to have a successful intervention without financial support with rent, which ARM will be working on starting September. Please stay tuned for updates and calls for action on our page: https://www.facebook.com/ARMLeb/
Casework & Advocacy
ARM continues working on casework and advocacy around migrant workers’ evacuation, labor violations, medical assistance, mental health support, and other emergencies. Follow our Facebook page for campaigns, interviews, and updates https://www.facebook.com/ARMLeb/