2018 LB070 Sport and Humanitarian Assistance Phase 2 (SAHA 2) Project

As the Syria crisis enters its seventh year, more than 4.4 million Syrian refugees are living in neighboring countries. In one of War Child’s recent assessments, out of 919 Syrian refugee children, 915 children express the feeling that they have no access to safe space to play. Violence, exploitation and abuse against children in the home, communities and schools, as well as an alarming rate of drug abuse, are recognized as among the main child protection concerns in Lebanon. In addition, families increasingly resort to negative coping mechanisms, relying on children as young as five as the primary breadwinners to make ends meet. Children are subjected to exploitation and risky behaviors in the work place, within their communities and even in their home places with their own families. Adolescents aged 12 – 17 represent a critical cohort that need specific attention and investment. Youth from this age group are largely missing out on psychosocial support, education and skills building programmes as they are increasingly either forced to stay indoors for their safety – the case for many adolescents girls – or to work to help provide income for the family – the case for many adolescents boys. Adolescents will also be the first among the generation of children affected by the Syrian conflict to be called upon to help mend torn social fabric and rebuild broken economies. The potential role of young of this age group as agents for change – positive or otherwise – is evident in political developments across the region in the last decade. Youth can and should be a positive force in a community with their desire for action and change. Improving the psychosocial health of adolescents, while empowering them, is critical for achieving development as they are the backbone to every country and they can change the future of the nation with their wellbeing. Given this context, there is a need for a project that will promote social stability and bring together different communities from different cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds through a community-based approach that listens to the needs of community members and supports them in developing responses. Well organized, inclusive sports activities focus on life skills and social development, and contribute to building relationships, growing communicative skills, connecting individuals to communities and fostering a sense of belonging and ownership, and creating an open space for dialogue.