Save lives today: Lebanon’s families are starving

Dear Lebanese Community and Humanitarian Supporters in Foreign Countries,

We reach out to you today with heavy hearts as our beloved Lebanon endures one of its darkest chapters. Since the tragic conflict began on October 1st, over 1.4 million people have been forced to abandon their homes, with many fleeing from the South, Beqaa Valley, and Beirut. These families have lost everything — their homes, their safety, and their peace — and now look to the kindness of their fellow citizens and the extended Lebanese family abroad for hope.

Almat's Role in Crisis Response

Our village, Almat, nestled in the mountains of the Jbeil district at elevations ranging from 900 to 2000 meters, has opened its arms to over 5,000 displaced individuals. To meet their overwhelming needs, we have formed a voluntary unit dedicated to providing essential aid, with a focus on the most vulnerable living in public shelters. Currently, Aalmat el Chamalieh shelters 130 individuals, while Aalmat el Janoubieh has taken in 227.

The beneficiaries are:

Community Kitchen and Relief Efforts

We established a community kitchen that provides daily meals to ensure these families do not go hungry. Yet, after seven relentless weeks of support, local resources are dwindling, and we find ourselves in urgent need of help.

A Call for Your Support

Now, more than ever, we turn to you — our community abroad — for assistance. Food remains our most pressing need, though blankets, clothing, and mattresses are also in short supply. Your support can help us continue this mission and bring relief to those who need it most.

Key Points:

Daily cost of food aid: around $400

For a sustainable goal of feeding the 357 displaced individuals over the period of the next 2 months, our estimated costs are 400*30*2 = 24,000$

We will start with a goal of 12,000$ to fund a month of supplies, and if our community is able to reach that goal, we'll extend it for another.

How you can contribute:

Cash donations: To help cover daily meal expenses

Food contributions: Ingredients to support the community kitchen

Raising Awareness: Sharing our message with your network

Our Promise of Transparency

We are committed to being fully transparent with our donors. Every donation is carefully documented, with detailed records of those receiving aid. Regular updates, including photos, videos, and receipts, are shared, and donors can request more detailed information at any time. Your trust is as important as your support.

A public spreadsheet detailing all of the donations as well as the expenses will be shared on a publicly accessible Google Sheet.

The gofundme is located in the United States, as there it is not possible to create a gofundme from Lebanon. The donations are linked to a US bank account we have set up with help of Lebanese Diaspora. The donations will be received within 24 hours on the bank account, after which they will be sent in batches (to minimize transfer fees) through Whish/Western Union to our community kitchen.

Contact Information

To learn more, contribute, or request updates, please reach out to us through this page (GoFundMe) or by email.

A Community United by Love

We know that Lebanon holds an unbreakable place in the hearts of the diaspora. Your support, no matter how big or small, will provide not just sustenance but a lifeline of hope and resilience for countless families. Your kindness today can help rewrite their tomorrow.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your compassion and solidarity during these challenging times.

With deep gratitude,

Almat Voluntary Unit