In the days immediately following the outbreak of war, ANERA began the process of assessing the needs of Lebanese residents displaced by the fighting and Palestinian refugees who have mostly chosen not to leave their homes in refugee camps.
ANERA identified health and hygiene kits for infants and children in a Palestinian camp in Beirut's southern suburbs as an immediate priority. The kits contain milk, diapers, baby rash cream and other essential items. With Mercy Corps agreeing to fund the initiative, ANERA brought in matching in-kind contributions from Nestle Corporation in Lebanon, which provided the milk. Nearly half of the contents of the kits are locally made. Local procurement provides needed business to firms struggling during the current crisis, helps keep the Lebanese people employed, and puts cash back into the country's economy. It's also the quickest way to respond to urgent needs.
Last week 900 kits were provided for infants and children in Burj Al-Barajneh Camp. This week ANERA and long-time ANERA partner, Insitut de Reeducation Audio-Phonetique (IRAP), will distribute 2,000 kits in the Metn area. Kit distribution is complemented with awareness raising activities, focusing in particular on the importance of breastfeeding and the safe use of baby formula and milk.
