Psychosocial Care Amid Unrelenting Stress in Lebanon
Along with local partners, Peace Winds is leading psychosocial support for adults and children who were displaced from their homes in Lebanon.
Even before the war, Lebanon was in the midst of a long economic crisis. Now, attacks and displacement are adding to the stress and trauma for civilians. Peace Winds’ program aims to empower participants with tools and strategies for coping.
Social workers are carrying out emergency case management for people living both in and outside of evacuation centers. They identify people most in need of psychosocial support, conduct assessments, and develop individualized support plans that connect participants to medical care and counseling services. So far, the team has reached 20 people through case management.
Elsewhere, Peace Winds and our local partners also conducted 20 counseling sessions for people living outside of evacuation centers. They addressed a wide range of concerns, and in some cases, counselors referred participants to services for physical and mental health, child protection, and protection from gender-based violence.
Finally, children can be particularly vulnerable to feelings of stress and sadness when their sense of routine and security are uprooted by displacement. Play is important for them, so we held events at three evacuation shelters with drawing and games for 300 children aged 5 to 13. It was a joyful moment for everyone; “I woke up early because I was excited to play with you guys,” one child said.
Peace Winds and our local partners continue to monitor the situation at evacuation centers in Lebanon so that we can provide what is needed most for those who need it. You can help us further this mission in Lebanon and around the world by donating here.