Lebanon :: Oxfam GB

What we do: Campaign for change; Emergency response; Development work; Why we do it

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Lebanon

Sabatt Iiouh (left) with brother and other family members sorting through a pile of olives. Photo: Jane Beesley

Oxfam began working in Lebanon during the conflict with Israel in July 2006. Our focus is now on helping people build sustainable livelihoods.

Intro

Development

Overcoming instability

Oxfam began working in Lebanon in July 2006, during the month-long war with Israel in which 900,000 people where displaced. We responded quickly to help civilians caught up in the fighting.

More on Oxfam's response to the 2006 Middle East crisis

In 2007 fighting broke out between between Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese Armed Forces in Nahr El Bared, a Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli. The conflict destroyed many people's homes and means of making a living.

How Oxfam is helping

Oxfam is helping people rebuild their livelihoods so that they can earn a secure income. Through our local partner PAWL, we have provided grants to help people develop business opportunities in everything from pepper making and hair salons, to small groceries and painting businesses.

Kefaya and Sariah El Ali inside the sweet shop they opened with an Oxfam grant. [Photo credit: Roula Abi Saad]

We were delighted when our business proposal for a grant to open at sweet shop was accepted. The grant has enabled us to decorate and fully stock our shop with products. I have a dream now that one day I'll own my own chocolate factory.

Kefaya El Ali, recipient of an Oxfam grant

Learn more

Read more examples of our work in Lebanon:

Development

ECHO (Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission) is supporting Oxfam's work in Lebanon

Ending violence against women

Often considered a taboo subject in Arab cultures, awareness of domestic violence has traditionally been very low in Lebanon.

How Oxfam is helping

We support local partner Kafa, which means 'Enough' in Arabic, to raise awareness about violence against women, and provide support to victims of domestic violence.

Ten years ago we were not even able to talk about violence against women in public, or do any sort of advocacy. But now it is far more common. Awareness is growing and women are becoming more corageous to speak about it.

Ghida Anani, Kafa Programme Co-ordinator

View slideshow: 'Enough is enough'

Other development work

Providing technical assistance on issues such as finances and programme management to local groups
Providing assistance to Palestinian refugees in Nahr El Barid camp

Oxfam's work in Lebanon in depth