Photos: Community aid helps Lebanese reeling under economic crisis
Updated On Dec 26, 2019 03:15 PM IST
The protest movement against government’s inaction towards the economic crisis in Lebanon has entered the third month. To deal with this adversity, people are resorting to what they’ve done in previous wars and crises: they rely on each other, not the state. The protests — and the 24-hour news cycle focused on them — have brought a surge of help by rallying public attention to the suffering. Campaigns to collect food, winter clothes and helplines for people in economic and emotional distress are popping up everywhere, intensified by the Christmas spirit.
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A volunteer serves food at a public Christmas dinner as part of an initiative to help those in need, at Martyrs’ Square, where anti-government activists are encamped in Beirut, Lebanon. The country is entering its third month of protests. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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Volunteers sweep trash in the central square where anti-government protesters have set up camp in downtown Beirut. Over recent years, as Lebanon’s economy worsened, people turned to familiar ways to cope, like mosque and church charities or helping each other, forgiving debts or handing out food, according to a report by AP. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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Volunteers Farah, left, and Saha, wait for calls at Lebanon’s Embrace, a mental health organisation operating the national suicide prevention helpline in Beirut. AP reports that the helpline now receives 100 calls a week, up from up to 10 before reports of suicides or attempted suicides erupted three weeks ago. According to Mia Atwi, clinical psychologist and founder of the organisation, the protests have created a unique experience — “something for everybody,” whether they support or oppose the revolt. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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Words of encouragement are taped on a window next to Bassem, a volunteer, as he waits for calls at Lebanon’s Embrace. Atwi attributed the jump in calls received to the spike of media and public attention to the issue of suicide, something she said has saved lives. Calls even come from rural areas, not just Beirut. Atwi says the government has not given her organisation a toll-free number despite paying $25,000 a year for the four-digit helpline. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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Volunteers sort donated clothing for the needy in a tent near Martyrs' Square. AP reports that campaigns to collect food, winter clothes and helplines for people in economic and emotional distress are popping up everywhere, intensified by the Christmas spirit. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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A lone pair of trousers hangs on the “Wall of Kindness,” as the words “Let us give and take” are seen in Arabic. Here, people can leave clothes or other items for those in need. To extend their support, stores have offered discounts and set up boxes for donations of clothes or money. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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A little boy waits for a Christmas present as protesters distribute gifts to the needy at Martyrs' Square. WhatsApp groups and Instagram pages shared addresses of small local businesses for shoppers to use for Christmas gifts. “We are all in this together,” said one tag line. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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Volunteer Ibtisam Nablussi tosses a Christmas present as protesters distribute clothing to the needy ahead of Christmas, at Martyrs Square. Ads on TV urged Lebanese people to pack bags of donations instead of suitcases for travel. Another urged Lebanese in the diaspora coming home to visit to bring “medicines, clothes and goodies” to give, because “Lebanon needs help.” (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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A woman ties an apron on a fellow volunteer before they serve a public Christmas dinner at Martyrs’ Square. To ease communication between people, a group of web developers created an app, Khayyak or Your Brother, to coordinate between those who want to help and those in need. “Don’t lose hope, you are not alone,” the advertisement for the app said. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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Volunteers light a candle for a table set for a public Christmas dinner at Martyrs’ Square. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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A boy eats with his brother and father at a public Christmas dinner. “Our relations are built on humanity and national unity,” Mohamed Shkeir, a 23-year-old architect student, who, along with friends launched a campaign appealing for donations, told AP. Their group has given money, food, clothes and supplies to 58 families so far this month, including one family reduced to using candles because they can’t afford electricity. “Our friendships are built on helping people,” he added. (Maya Alleruzzo / AP)
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