Help Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Survive Winter

Hi Everyone! My name is Charmaine and previously I have used this platform to raise money to help refugees in Greece and Lebanon. In 2015 I volunteered overseas helping in Kos Greece as the refugees arrived by boat, in 2016 I taught in a camp in Lebanon and in the winter 2017/18 I helped with food, heating fuel and clothing distributions. In 2016 I met the family of Moussa Al Shaaban at a camp in Lebanon and fell in love with them. They are a kind, generous and loving family who would decline help for themselves and point out others in more need and they would host English classes for the children of the camp in their tent and invite many international volunteers in for chai. We wanted to get this family out of the camp and give the children a chance at an education. For four years we waited for them to be approved and brought to Canada. They arrived in Canada in October 2020 and are adjusting well. Moussa is very happy in Canada but can’t stop himself from worrying about the 51 families he left behind in that camp they called home for many years. Moussa used to run a grocery store from his tent and supply the people with low cost food. He also used to be an advocate between the people and the farmer/landlord who charges each tents rent to use the property. The situation in the camp is very poor. The farmer has demanded a sharp increase in rent and the food and heat is at least four times what it previously cost. The farmer is also threatening to cut off the electricity. The Lebanese Lira has tanked. Hyperinflation has made it impossible for the families to survive on the money they get from the UNHCR and they are not allowed to find work. We contacted Salam LADC, the organization I have volunteered with in Lebanon and right now due to covid there are not any distributions but this camp is on the list for as soon as they are able to resume. Coronavirus not only makes it difficult for us at home but it makes it so there is way less help by international volunteers. I can’t even imagine how many extra families will suffer because the international volunteer community is stuck in their home countries. Moussa, his family and I would like very much to supplement the camp rent increase so that the electricity isn’t cut off and help with purchasing heating fuel to get the 51 families through the winter. Thank you on behalf of Moussa and myself. Every little bit helps so much more then you know. Cheers! Charmaine