Lebanon
The war in Ukraine is directly impacting Lebanon which has led to an extreme hunger crisis in addition to a shortage of electricity and water. The Lebanese pound has since also lost 90% of its value against the US dollar. As a result, people can not afford basic necessities such as food and medicine, nor can they afford gas to commute to access those resources. Ukraine and Russia’s grain supply has been blocked and no longer exporting to Lebanon (grain is used for making bread and other Lebanese foods, it is staple that those below the poverty level rely on to survive). Due to inflation, electricity is now limited to only ~2 hours a day which cuts-off lighting, access to elevators, communications, and more.
Our team has been supplying over 50 Deaf families with food boxes that contain a variation of Lebanese “dry” food staples (dry or non-perishable food is necessary because there is limited electricity for appliances such as refrigerators). We ensure that these food boxes arrive directly to the families and it is no easy task because in these tall buildings, without electricity there is no elevator access requiring the boxes to be carried up flights of stairs. Furthermore, access to homes is a long tedious journey by foot. Many access points do not allow for vehicles to fit through.
In addition to food boxes, we have been delivering oil and solar lights with mobile charging units which many Deaf families are using to hang in place of their ceiling light.