INTERSOS has been present in Lebanon since August 2006, when the first emergency response team initiated work in Lebanon to address the humanitarian emergency brought about by bombings in Southern Lebanon and the capital, Beirut. The INTERSOS Emergency Response Team carried out an assessment mission, which was followed by distribution of Food and Non Food Items in the region of Mount Lebanon.

INTERSOS, in collaboration with UNICEF and a network of Lebanese NGOs (AID LEBANON) developed an intervention creating Child Friendly Spaces in the southern cities of Tyre and Nabatiyeh. The project focuses on psychosocial support to children and youth, hygiene promotion as well as mine risk education in the Southern areas with mobile teams covering the schools of the two districts, expanding the benefits of the project to almost all of the student population of the area, and indirectly to their parents. The activities are being implemented in close collaboration with all partners including the municipalities of the two districts.

INTERSOS is operating within the Forum SOLINT framework, a forum of Italian NGOs which has developed a multi-sectoral programme to maximize the results of the interventions by strengthening humanitarian coordination and developing complementary activities. The activities of SOLINT members in Lebanon will further develop humanitarian action within this programme, adding value to each organization separate interventions in Lebanon.

INTERSOS is also a member of the Emergency Committee ‘ItaliAuita’ which has launched an appeal for urgent assistance for the population affected by fighting in Lebanon. Participating organizations include Cesvi, Coopi, Cosv, and Intersos. More information is available at www.italiaiuta.it.