UNHCR launches the ‘Warm Their Hearts’ campaign for Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Lebanon home to more than 1 mln refugees

By Iddris Seidu

Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 20: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Sunday launched the “Warm Their Hearts” campaign, a regional winter campaign that aims to protect the most vulnerable refugee families in Lebanon and other countries neighbouring Syria from a possible repeat of last year’s ruthless storms.

Speaking at the launch press conference, Dr Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR High Commissioner for Refugees representative in Kuwait, said “Today, we are launching UNHCR’s winterization campaign in Kuwait, a country that was named by the UN as the International Humanitarian Centre and its Amir as the humanitarian leader. We are grateful for all the assistance provided by the state of Kuwait and its people in support of the Syrian refugees”.

She added that the state of Kuwait last winter donated an amount of USD 31million in support of Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon and through this support, UNHCR was able to provide the necessary assistance such as healthcare, shelter and supplies during the first months of Lebanon’s harsh winter, where snow storms were sweeping the country. “With the support of the Kuwaiti people 46,000 refugee families in Lebanon have received the necessary winter support. We look forward to further cooperation and assistance from Kuwait to help millions of families face the coming winter in the Middle East”.

Through the #WarmTheirHearts online donation program (lb.unhcr.org), UNHCR aims to cooperate with individuals in the region who are able to contribute to its winter program and make a difference in refugees’ lives.

Lebanon is home to more than one million Syrian refugees, more than half of who live in desolate, sub-standard shelters (tents, unfinished buildings, garages and shops). Last winter was particularly brutal, with multiple snow storms and heavy rains hitting Lebanon that have caused some challenges for the refugees to receive the necessary aid.

UNHCR and partner organizations estimate that 195,000 Syrian families will suffer due to the winter season this year and will need help to stay warm and dry. In addition, underprivileged Lebanese families are suffering as well.

UNHCR has doubled the number of people receiving support for winter in Lebanon this year because of the increased level of vulnerability among the refugee population. Through this campaign UNHCR aims to provide winter support over the period of four months to more than 20,000 families (100,000 people) starting in November.

Assistance

In addition, UNHCR will also provide assistance during the four winter months to vulnerable Lebanese families identified by the Ministry of Social Affairs under the National Poverty Targeting Program. Through this campaign, the UNHCR aims to provide the necessary support to the most affected vulnerable families and bridge any gaps between Syrian refugees and host communities.

In conclusion, “On behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Office in Kuwait, I will like to extend my gratitude to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait and the Humanitarian Leader, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, May God protect him and the Kuwaiti people for their contributions and support to help the underprivileged. I would also like to thank the staff working on the ground in difficult circumstances. I want to also extend my gratitude and thankfulness to the media representatives who play a key role in supporting the efforts of the global humanitarian action and highlighting the urgent humanitarian issues,” stated Dr Hamdan. Shadi Ghrawi, Private Sector Partnership Officer, was also at the press conference.

Meanwhile, the Kuwait-based International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) has set out a two million dollar-cost campaign to ease the suffering of displaced Syrians with the advent of the winter.

The campaign, themed “We Are With You,” was launched Sunday in the Jordanian capital Amman in the presence of Kuwaiti Ambassador Dr Hamad AlDuaij and representatives IICO and a slew of Jordanian relief organizations.

Two other Kuwaiti volunteering and charitable organizations, named giving Kuwaiti women humanitarian team and good tributaries, are contributing to the campaign.

The phased-out campaign targets displaced Syrians in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Europe.

It envisages the distribution of foodstuff, clothes, blankets, and financial aid to displaced Syrians in the four countries in addition to Europe at a cost of $800,000; $400,000; $500,000; $100,000; and $200, 000 respectively.

“The Kuwaiti government and nongovernment relief campaigns would continue to ease the suffering of Syrian brothers and sisters,” Ambassador AlDuaij told KUNA during the campaign launching ceremony.

He added that the embassy would offer all help to Kuwaiti relief teams to render their campaigns a success.

Meanwhile, Supervisor of the IICO Bureau in Jordan Khalil Hamad said that the first phase of the campaign in Jordan would be implemented in cooperation with 13 local organizations.