Emergency response to ensure access to health for the population affected by the explosion at the Port of Beirut.

The project aims to support the local association Beit El Baraka, whose goal is to provide assistance to and restore the dignity of vulnerable Lebanese seniors (without a pension or social security). Beit El Baraka has developed a holistic approach addressing access to housing, food aid, and medical support, the need for which are exacerbated by the economic, political, and social crisis. Since the Port of Beirut explosion, the association has noted an increase in needs in terms of access to treatment, particularly for people with chronic diseases. This leads to difficulties accessing health centres (mobility problems for injured people or seniors, health centres closed as a result of the explosion, overcrowding in health centres and long wait times, difficulty accessing treatments either because they are no longer available in pharmacies or through health centres, or for financial reasons). DOW will support Beit El Baraka in structuring the health aspect of their activities by establishing a pharmacy to guarantee access to essential medications and treatments for chronic diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) to vulnerable seniors affected by the explosion. The financial support provided will make it possible to fund a suitable and secure storage space, a stock of medications for covering the urgent needs of the people followed by Beit El Baraka, and staff to guarantee the safety of the intervention (a doctor to monitor and validate medical prescriptions and a pharmacist). DOW will also provide technical support to strengthen the skills of the Beit El Baraka team to ensure the sustainability of the intervention.