Lebanon is experiencing the most severe economic and financial crises since the mid-19th century. Conflicts in the Middle East, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut explosion in 2020, have further stretched Lebanon’s public infrastructure beyond capacity. The prolonged refugee situation, coupled with the impact of these recent crises, has led to an exponential rise in extreme poverty among Lebanese households and Syrian refugees. An estimated 88% of Syrian refugees and 78% of Lebanese are living below the extreme poverty line, further eroding the resilience of people.
AVSI is the only international organization working steadily in Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon. Since the beginning of the crisis, AVSI has supported the community by providing water, food, clothes, vocational training, education, and psychosocial support activities. In July, AVSI inaugurated the Fadai Community Center. In Arabic, Fadai means ‘my world’, and is a space where children can learn, play and dream, and live together in peace. The center serves the entire population of Marjayoun, approximately 100,0000 people.