Community consultations for the design of multipurpose cash assistance programs in Lebanon

Key Findings: Unlike the Syrian refugee crisis, Lebanese communities receiving or in need of assistance have not been displaced. Instead, they have been forced to contend with the effects of Lebanon’s economic and financial crisis, cutting across traditional...

Bridge the gap – Youth and community

In order to contribute to enhancing relationships between youth in the community, Mercy Corps - Lebanon has partnered with Peace Labs to provide a safe space for expression and interaction beyond the confines of the stress of the current context and any other factors...

The path towards a good governance

As one of the requirements of good governance is enhancing civic participation of local communities in public life, the IJMAA+ program has partnered with Upload and is seeking to bridge the gap between residents, particularly youth, and five municipalities in the...

Mrs. Flavor, a woman fighting to fulfill her dreams

𝗠𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 Fatima Sahily is a young woman living with her parents, and her five siblings in Rayak, Bekaa. Fatima, like other Lebanese women, seeks to fulfill her goals and find possibilities to live in dignity in Lebanon. She...

Mercy Corps CEO visit to Lebanon

Lebanon is an incredibly beautiful, dynamic and diverse country that has faced enormous challenges in recent years. Now, the situation is worsening due to the ripple effects from the war in Ukraine. In the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon – about 30 kilometers East of Beirut —...

HORECA Market Linkages

To facilitate market linkages and enhance networking opportunities, Mercy Corps Lebanon supported five Small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the latest edition of HORECA Connects 2022. Throughout the three-day exhibition, the SMEs showcased their...

Cash assistance is critical for communities recovering from crises

With a cash grant from Mercy Corps, Andy repaired his music shop after it was destroyed by the explosion in Beirut. No one could have anticipated the catastrophe that struck Lebanon in August 2020. It was an ordinary Tuesday evening when an explosion rocked Beirut,...

How a small business owner is breaking gender norms

Safa Masri improved her business with training and support from Mercy Corps in Tripoli, Lebanon. On a bustling street in the east of Tripoli, Lebanon, customers who enter Safa Masri’s bake shop are greeted with the sweet smell of desserts. Cake pops, cookies,...

Surviving crisis: Why rebuilding Beirut’s small businesses matters

The blast that struck Beirut on August 4, 2020 shook Lebanon’s capital like an earthquake, destroying half the city and leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless. More than 6,000 injuries and 180 deaths have been confirmed, and more than a dozen people remain...

Building strength within a community of Syrian refugees

Raised tensions and widespread devastation mark the end of the ninth year of crisis in Syria. While a ceasefire has been called, the recent conflict in Idlib caused catastrophic human suffering and created an unprecedented level of need. Nearly one million people have...
March Crisis Update

March Crisis Update

Key Takeaways: Total Israeli shelling incidents in southern Lebanon decreased in March; however, individual strikes were more lethal and destructive, causing significant damage to infrastructure and private homes. Israel also continued targeting the Bekaa Valley with...

February Crisis Update

February Crisis Update

    Key Takeaways: The National Social Security Fund announced that it raised the exchange rate – effective February 1 – at which it calculates payments and transfers to 89,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per 1 US dollar (USD). The new exchange rate will apply to...

January Crisis Update

January Crisis Update

Key Takeaways: The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel along Lebanon’s southern border continued throughout January, killing six civilians and causing extensive damage. The rate of Israeli and Hezbollah strikes was in keeping with past months, though Israel expanded...

December Crisis Update

December Crisis Update

Key Takeaways: Heavy fighting resumed along Lebanon’s southern border after the ceasefire in Gaza lapsed on December 1. Six civilians were killed by Israeli military action in December, bringing the total number of civilian casualties between October 8 and December 31...

November Crisis Update

November Crisis Update

Key Takeaways: Fighting escalated between Hezbollah and the Israeli military along Lebanon’s southern border in November, with Israeli shelling reaching the Zahrani area, 30 kilometers into Lebanese territory. Eleven civilians were killed and 15 were injured by...

October Crisis Update

October Crisis Update

Key Takeaways: Since October 8, Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in escalating tit-for-tat attacks along Lebanon’s southern border. Eleven civilians have been killed in the fighting and 31 others injured as of November 9. As of November 1, 25,708 individuals had been...