CRS in Lebanon

The multi-religious character of Lebanese society and the prominent role of Christians in all aspects of the country's life make Lebanon culturally unique in the Arab world. Commenting on the long but often troubled history of coexistence among the country's Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Druzes, Pope John Paul II said, "Lebanon is more than a country. Lebanon is a message!" 

Lebanon is today the country with the world’s highest concentration of refugees per capita. Lebanon did not set up formal camps for the refugees. Most are therefore scattered across the country, living in precarious conditions in informal tented settlements or dilapidated buildings in the poorest neighborhoods.

Partnering with the strongly-rooted Caritas Lebanon and also with religious congregations and interfaith organizations, CRS is working in Lebanon to address the growing needs of the massive refugee population, vulnerable Lebanese and migrant workers.

CRS also works to advance interfaith collaboration and coexistence and to strengthen local community and faith-based organizations in Lebanon and other countries in the region.

CRS' History in Lebanon

Throughout Lebanon's long civil war and under very difficult circumstances, Catholic Relief Services provided humanitarian assistance and reconstructed war-damaged infrastructure on a non-sectarian basis. CRS' regional office for Europe and the Middle East was relocated to Beirut in 2004. We re-established a Lebanon country program office during the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, assisting more than 250,000 war-displaced people.

Following the ceasefire, CRS and local Church partners invested significant resources to rebuild livelihoods, public buildings and community infrastructure. Since then, CRS has focused on strengthening our Lebanese partner organizations and promoting interfaith collaboration and civic participation.

Most recently, CRS has responded to the Syrian refugee crisis. Living without sufficient income and often in overcrowded homes and tents with relatives, many Syrian refugees struggle to maintain safe and healthy homes. We work with many organizations, including Caritas, to meet these humanitarian needs with various types of assistance, including food, non-food items, hygiene kits, etc. Mobile health clinics have also been dispatched to areas where there is a large refugee population.