UNHCR, Namaa Charity forge deal to aid refugees, host communities in Lebanon

• Through this contribution, the UN Refugee Agency will be able to provide healthcare services to 320 individuals, offering over 2,000 health consultations and counseling services in supported primary healthcare centers.

• UNHCR will cover the cost of urgent, life-saving interventions in hospitals for Syrian refugees and individuals from the Lebanese host community.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Namaa Charity have signed a grant agreement to facilitate secondary and primary healthcare referrals for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, alongside subsidized primary healthcare consultations for both refugees and host communities.

The agreement was signed by Nisreen Rubaian, UNHCR’s representative to the State of Kuwait, and Saad Al-Otaibi, CEO of Namaa Charity, at its headquarters in Kuwait.

Through this contribution, UNHCR will be able to provide healthcare services to 320 individuals, offering over 2,000 health consultations and counseling services in supported primary healthcare centers. Additionally, it will cover the cost of urgent, life-saving interventions in hospitals for Syrian refugees and individuals from the Lebanese host community.

Rubaian praised the generous contribution made by Namaa Charity, stating, “We hope that this contribution will alleviate some of the burdens placed on refugee families and help them receive the medical attention they need in a dignified manner.”

She added, “We appreciate our humanitarian partnership with Namaa Charity, which reflects the firm commitment of the State of Kuwait, including its governmental, humanitarian bodies, and the private sector, to extend a helping hand to refugees and host communities wherever they are. This commitment is especially crucial given the increasing humanitarian challenges worldwide and the scarcity of funding.”

On his part, Al-Otaibi said, “This agreement embodies our serious and shared commitment to improving the conditions of the most vulnerable refugees and host communities, supporting them in this critical time. We intend to make every possible effort to achieve the goals set out in this agreement.”

He added, “The cooperation between Namaa Charity and UNHCR exemplifies how collective action can achieve good and contribute positively to the world. We recognize the immense importance of this cooperation in jointly supporting those in need. Namaa’s charitable projects in education, health, and relief in Lebanon are integral to our vision of enhancing living conditions and assisting vulnerable individuals in dire need.”

In 2023, Lebanon, which hosts the largest share of refugees per capita in the world, witnessed a further deterioration in the socio-economic situation, with increasing pressure on resources and infrastructure. This has continued to exacerbate challenges faced by the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, female-headed households, and persons with disabilities.

UNHCR’s support for primary healthcare in Lebanon includes several key services: support for consultation fees and laboratory tests for critical cases, maternal and child health services, and treatment for non-communicable diseases. Additionally, the support covers free immunization and medication services, alongside health awareness programs conducted within healthcare facilities and the community.