Whose Right(s)?
The Lebanese are no strangers to migration. In fact, the Lebanese diaspora is estimated to be around 4 million people, although some estimates record upwards of 14 million people around the world. More recently, as a direct result of the economic crisis that was triggered by the 2020 Beirut port explosion, there was a reported increase in departures.
Since the explosion, inflation has steadily increased in Lebanon, leaving the economy at the brink of collapse. People paid in Liras have seen their salaries shrink by an estimated 90% due to the Lira devaluation. Moreover, the country continues to experience fuel and medicine shortages, power outages, and a shortage of sanitary products, leaving many in a vulnerable situation. Nonetheless, while the Lebanese seek to leave Lebanon looking for a brighter future, others migrate to Lebanon in search of safety.
But, who are these people?
Just as Lebanon has a long history of citizens emigrating, it also has a long history of welcoming citizens from neighbouring countries, namely Palestine and Syria. More precisely, Lebanon hosts the largest per capita population of Syrian refugees in the world, with the official number being 1.7 million, although the unofficial count is much higher. As such, Lebanon is home to numerous NGOs, who provide humanitarian aid to those in need. In recent years though, as conditions have deteriorated across the country, these NGOs have found themselves unable to keep up with the demand, leaving a large population of people behind. These are the people who we provide assistance to.
For six years now, 26 Letters has provided humanitarian aid to families left to their own devices to survive. We provide them with legal and financial resources to afford sanitary basics, food, and medical attention. This is particularly crucial to the pregnant women we help, as it nowadays costs them US$60 to access regular check-ups, US$50 for the required scans, and US$250 to give birth. To put this situation into perspective, our highest earning mother earns US$30 per month, while the minimum wage in the country is about US$25.
Laws in Lebanon are not always inclusive. For instance, Syrian citizens can only be legally employed in three sectors: construction, agriculture and cleaning. This, alongside the dire economic conditions, has led to an increase in Syrian people living below the poverty line. As of 2020, an alarming 89% of Syrians in Lebanon lived below the poverty line, compared to 55% in 2019. In this same period of time, the percentage of children aged 5 to 17 engaging in child labour almost doubled, while many saw themselves victims of discriminatory policies that prevented them from enrolling in school.
This is the second instance where 26 Letters intervenes. Originally funded just to teach children English as a second language, 26 Letters has now evolved into a school that teaches English, Arabic, Spanish, Math and Ethics to over 130 children for free. We ensure that their basic right to education is fulfilled, providing them with an inclusive curriculum that aims at giving them the tools to be successful adults, in whatever way they choose to define success.
The situation in Lebanon today is difficult for everyone, regardless of status. The conditions described above are just a gist of what our students and their families have to endure. Our mission, to help our students and their families lead a life with dignity where their basic human rights are fulfilled, has become more fundamental than ever.
