LEBANON-NGO/CROWD FUNDING Lebanon-based NGO turns to crowdfunding to assist Syrian refugees

Record ID: 146572

  • Title: LEBANON-NGO/CROWD FUNDING Lebanon-based NGO turns to crowdfunding to assist Syrian refugees
  • Date: 20th July 2015
  • Summary: BEIRUT, LEBANON (JULY 16, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN THE STREETS OF SHATILA REFUGEE CAMP IN BEIRUT VARIOUS OF BUILDINGS IN SHATILA CAMP BUILDING WHERE 'BASMEH AND ZEITOONEH' NGO IS LOCATED IN SHATILA CAMP (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) 'BASMEH AND ZEITOONEH' MEMBER, FARAH AZRAK, SAYING: "The external funding from INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations)
  • Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA81ABBX1GTLKKLEEXH04QYSL11
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A small Lebanese-based NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) that supports Syrian refugees has turned to a different fund-raising method to sustain its programs.
    Basmah and Zeitooneh, which was established in September 2012 by a small group of volunteers, launched a crowdfunding campaign on Zoomal website called #Shatilalive to fund its projects and community centre.
    "The external funding from INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations) and others decreased a lot for projects on the ground, especially in Beirut. After four years of the war in Syria and with the complications of crises all around the world, the importance of this area has become somehow secondary and not of a great priority, so the funding decreased a lot. Five out of our ten projects are in danger of not being able to continue," said Farah Azrak, a project co-ordinator at Basmeh and Zeitooneh.
    She added that the organisation assists around 3,000 families in Shatila refugee camp.
    Basmeh and Zeitooneh support a variety of projects that include an art and culture centre, a relief program, a women's workshop, as well as offering medical assistance.
    The crowdfunding campaign aims to collect USD120,000 to secure the continuity of several of their projects. Funds raised will go towards literacy classes, computing lessons as well as programmes to support children suffering from trauma.
    Money will also go towards a programme that supports vulnerable women as well as offering support to women setting up businesses in the camp.
    In the crowded and narrow streets of Shatila, Basmeh and Zeitooneh volunteers have created a literary space, where many Syrian children and women seek refuge among books.
    Abdel-Karim Ali, is a 12-year-old Syrian refugee.
    "My friends told me about the school and said it is very good. Well, we have a lot fun and we learn a lot of information too, so I come here to study and have fun. Teachers play with us games with educational objectives, we are happy in this school," he said.
    Um Abdel- Aziz fled from Idlib to Lebanon, she comes to Basmeh and Zeitooneh to attend a literacy course.
    "I studied till the 7th grade but with time and the pressure of life, I forgot the letters. I was telling my neighbours that I am weak in reading and they told me about 'Basmeh and Zeitooneh' literacy class in Arabic language. I asked if I can go and they said ''yes, there is a class for people your age and another for children'' so I was like yes I will go. I came here, the director welcomed me, I tried the first week and I loved the experience. I am learning and getting better, thank God," she said.
    So far donations stand at more than 100,000 US dollars, with the campaign ending on Tuesday (July 21).
    The number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries has passed 4 million, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said, adding that the total was on course to reach 4.27 million by the end of 2015.
    About 86 percent of the 630,000 in Jordan live below the poverty line of $3.2 per day, the UNHCR statement said, while more than half of the 1.173 million Syrians in Lebanon live in sub-standard shelters.
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