I have just finished a distribution for 121 families in a Syrian refugee camp in Bekka valley, each given 20 litres of heating fuel.
Some families have lived in these tents for the last 7 years and I can not see the situation changing for a long time.
Central Bekka has 3000 refugee camps, just in Saadnayel alone there is roughly 15,000 refugees.
Roughly about 1.5 million Syrian refugees are said to be living in Lebanon, fleeing from the conflicts from behind the nearby visible Syrian mountains. That is one third of Lebanon’s population is refugees.
It’s sunny this morning, hitting 23 degrees but as soon as the sun sets, the cold will creep in. Bekka Valley is higher up in the mountains and therefore tends to get much colder here than Beirut and Saida.
Bright colourfully dressed women congregate with their UNHCR papers, checked off our register before collecting the heating fuel. It is imperative that a fair distribution is facilitated for everyone in the camp.
Some held their young ones and balanced the 20 litres with ease, just grateful for the help and slowly walked back to the tent. A well assembled peaceful quiet distribution.
The lady Shawish who manages the tents came and beckoned me to to follow her. She took me into her tent and lifted a tiny baby out of a heavy blanket and put him in my arms.
He is one week old she said, he was tiny, asleep and oblivious to all the fuss around him whilst in my arms. Bittersweet thoughts raced through my head.
What a wonderful moment for me I thought and what an awful situation for the baby to be born into.
On one side he has a challenging life ahead of him and on the other he is showered with so much love and affection. On reflection, I would take the latter.
I have been informed of three medical cases of very vulnerable families who are unable to afford their treatment costs.
Working on these cases, grateful for constantly gaining medical knowledge and Inshaa Allah being able to help. Secondly interlinks well with my student nurse training and overseas health programs.
A thousand iftaari meals are to be arranged with the Syrian ladies for the coming Ramadhan.
Then I will head back to Beirut feeling accomplished.
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