Family Health Project in Lebanon

In response to calls from local NGOs and UNRWA for a family health campaign in the camps and gatherings in Lebanon, this project was extended to south Lebanon in 2013. In the camps and gatherings in south Lebanon, families are living in cramped conditions, in deep poverty with very limited incomes and as a result studies show high rates of nutritional deficiencies specifically amongst at-risk groups such as pregnant women, young children and people suffering from chronic diseases.

To raise awareness and local knowledge of health issues, Welfare Association developed the Family Health Binder in consultation with local communities and health professionals in our previous four-year Big Lottery Fund project in Nahr el Bared camp.

The binder has key information presented in a straightforward non-technical style and with illustrations to increase understanding, it is intended to be practical, helpful and with the information easily accessible for all members of the family. The chapters in this health binder include: Maternal Health, Psychosocial Health, Infectious Diseases, Chronic Diseases, Nutrition and Prevention & Safety. In addition, two new chapters were added to the binder: Dental Health Care and Children with Disability. 

5000 copies of the new 8-chapter health binder were distributed to women in three camps in Tyre (Rashidieh, Burj el-Shemali and El Buss) and in some of the informal gatherings in south Lebanon, in addition to 850 additional copies of just the two new chapters as inserts for the previously-printed binders for families in Nahr El Bared as part of the previous project. Training in family health and how to use the binder was provided to kindergarten teachers, community social workers and NGO staff who were involved in the distributions.

Community activities included:

• Lectures covering all 8 topics in the health binder
• Open day on nutrition
• Visit to dental clinic
• Documentary about disabled child safety at home
• Theatrical plays – covering oral health and misconceptions of health issues
• Quizzes – covering various health topics in health binder
• Sports day – including session on health benefits of sports and exercise

The format of the binder means that it can continue to be updated with new and emerging health issues. The new binder has served as a practical reference and guide to key health issues. It has greatly increased women’s awareness of, and access to, health services in the camps and gatherings in Lebanon.