Lebanon

Country Information

Founded: 1932 (Modern State, History dates back to 4,000 BCE)
Land Area: 10,400 Square Kilometers (¾ the size of Connecticut)
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers. Mountains experience heavy winter snows
Agricultural Land Usability: 16%
Natural Hazards: dust storms, sandstorms
Environmental issues: soil erosion, deforestation, air pollution from industrial waste

The People

Population: 3,874,050
Infant Mortality Rate: 24 deaths / 1000 births
Life Expectancy: 73 years
Major Diseases: no common risk
Religions: 60% Muslim, 39% Christian
Literacy Rate: 87%
Unemployment rate: 18% (1997, no current data)
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: 28% (1999, no current data)

Special Conditions

Currently over 450,000 Palestinian refugees are known to live in Lebanon, adding to that another 300,000 Lebanese people displaced from the Israeli invasions 1975-1990 and approximately 450,000 Lebanese still homeless from the summer of 2006 Lebanon-Israel conflict. The result of this is a catastrophic humanitarian concern as nearly one-third of the total population of Lebanon is homeless or in refugee status.

Identifying the Need

Reconstruction, rehabilitation and humanitarian aid in the form of food and supplies distribution is only the beginning. Long-term sustainable projects which are needed include: Medical care, Vocational training, education and trauma care.

Lebanon’s position above Palestine has made it a refuge for nearly a half-million refugees. Most of these refugees are centered in the southern areas of Lebanon. It is for this reason that The Zakat Foundation of America has established an office in the Mount Lebanon region in the south; so that the refugees and the poorest communities within Lebanon can be aided with our efforts.

Ramadan Programs

For many years The Zakat Foundation has provided Iftars and food package distributions to the poor communities and refugee camps in southern Lebanon. These programs ensure that for at least one month during the year that people who live here can enjoy complete meals as well as have wonderful community fellowship.

Udhiya / Qurbani Distribution

Palestinian refugees and poor Lebanese alike look forward to the Eid al-Adha for meat distributions of The Zakat Foundation. These joyful days are marked by community meals as well as the distributions of zabiha meat.

Backpack Distribution

Since 2004 we have been distributing much needed school supplies to orphans and destitute children in Lebanon. These tools of education are much appreciated and needed instruments for children to get the most of school and be better equipped to earn gainful employment once they reach adulthood.

Orphan Sponsorship

Many children in poor communities of Lebanon as well as in the Palestinian refugee camps are orphaned from rampant illnesses or death from military conflicts. It is our duty as Muslims to ensure that these orphans are cared for and given the proper education and tools for life. Orphan sponsorship is only $30 a month. Please make a difference today.

Hand of Mercy

This project began in the south of Lebanon where we find a great number of people facing special medical needs. The program is designed to match donors with men, women and children in need of funding for special medical procedures which can be very expensive. This program is specifically designed to help those whose medical care is beyond normal clinic operations and who are otherwise not able to receive aid as an orphan or a widow.

Free Clinic

The rising health problems and poverty of refugee camps in and around the Mount Lebanon region made a necessity for there to be a free clinic established. This clinic can take care of most minor to moderate medical needs and is fully equipped with standard equipment as well as medicines. During the Summer of 2006 our clinic served over one hundred people each day. Civilian casualties mounted from the conflict and our clinic saved hundreds of lives and eased the suffering of hundreds more.

Please donate to keep our clinic running as we need $1500 every month to stock, supply and maintain this clinic.

Wartime Relief – Emergency Relief – 2006

This summer’s conflict caught much of the population in the crossfire, most were refugees in their own country as tens of thousands were forced to flee their homes. The Zakat Foundation office went into action providing mattresses and blankets to sleep on as so many were left in the streets of various towns and villages. Our food distributions were a huge success as provided several day’s worth of sustenance and nutrition. Also our clinic and field doctors sprang into action to help thousands of people during the onslaught.

Please don’t forget the Lebanese people; so many homes and villages were devastated and the people of Lebanon need your help in the rebuilding process.

Help us to rebuild homes and provide prosthetics to the people who have lost limbs from this tragic conflict.