The Lebanese Battle for Life

An Aid Worker's Account

The group's headquarters is located in an old building in the Sanaye'h area that was provided by a Lebanese family.

Now with 50 to 60 volunteers, Mowatinun is taking care of approximately 4,020 displaced persons distributed throughout Beirut and its suburbs.

There are various organizations providing aid to the refugees. Mowatinun differs in that it started as a spontaneous movement sparked up by the efforts of a small group of friends who came together and proceeded by simply making large numbers of sandwiches and sending them to the displaced families.

"We started out in my mom's kitchen," said the group's project coordinator Nayla. The seriousness and efficiency that the group manifested throughout its operations soon resulted in more donations to fund the group's activities. As the traumatic situation and needs of the displaced drastically increased, so too did the group's feeling of responsibility.

The small group of friends gradually became a well organized group that is working effectively and is actually capable of providing crucial help. "People could not believe that Mowatinun was just really nothing but mowatinun (citizens) who came together without any common pretext," said Jawad.

Jawad, who plays the multiple roles of driver, accountant, and quality control person, explained, "It was difficult for everyone to understand that we were independent and not really investing in any social or political credit."

The tasks have become organized and diverse. Mowatinun is now providing balanced meals to the refugee families, as well as sanitary products, mattresses, clothes, and medical supplies. The way things are being done conveys the truly humane interaction that takes place between the volunteers and the families.

Every morning, convoys head out to their destinations carrying breakfast and a list of supplies that the families requested the day before. This happens at least twice a day in every location the organization serves. Most drivers have already become quite familiar and rather friendly with the refugee families. Bassem, the coordinator of the medical unit and a driver at the same time, has become quite fond of many of the people he drives out to every day.

In a small room off of a parking lot, resides a family of eight people who have fled the South to the relative safety of Beirut. Through his daily visits, Bassem has become good friends with Khalil, a 26-year-old-man who owned a local sweets shop in his hometown of Nabatiyyeh. Feeling overwhelmed by the support he has seen from Bassem, Khalil said, "When all this is done, I am inviting you to a huge dish of baklava and tea over at my shop." In his traditional Southern Lebanese accent, he stresses, "I will be very sad if you don't come! You are family now, and you cannot refuse my offer!"

The day of the Mowatinun members is quite busy. The group delivers meals and supplies all day long. A specialized medical team addresses the health problems of the displaced. Injuries and emergencies are forwarded to available hospitals and manageable health problems are dealt with by two volunteer doctors. The group has raised donations to buy medicine and provide regular check-ups to those who need them. Another team provides psychological help to children. The group has already organized theatrical plays in which the children took part of. Games and drawing are among the regular daily activities for the children.

Some volunteers undertake other tasks in support of the group's activities. Lana Daher, a graphic designer, assumed responsibility of building the group's website. She designed the website and updates the information on a daily basis. Her contribution also covers a visual communication program with which people can view images of Mowatinun's activities and interact with them.

Other people have devoted their expertise in statistics, organization, human resources management, and financial analysis to organize the group in a rather astonishing manner. The group exerts a charming esprit de corps on both volunteers and outside viewers. The scene is both enticing and heartening. Almost everyone who gets in touch with the group or steps inside the headquarters can feel a general mood of willingness and thriving, a weird source of energy that keeps everybody at full alert while maintaining high spirits — exactly what one needs in this war.

Jad, who helps in organizing the group's financial affairs, has quit his job in order to devote his time to serving with Mowatinun. "Once I became part of the group, I felt exactly in place, right where I want to be, and since then I could not leave."

The group is currently raising funds for further aid. The situation is intensifying and aid should be sustainable. The overall costs of providing aid to 4,020 refugees amount to $24,000 weekly. Furthermore, the displaced will need further care even after a cease-fire is achieved.

Postconflict aid is equally important. Many people have lost their homes and won't find shelter even after the Israeli strikes halt. Mowatinun has collected $72,365 up to now. Still, more help is needed. The group provides detailed information of how the money is collected, where it is being spent, and how it is benefiting the displaced. Contributions are welcome, not only in the form of money: Ideas and suggestions are vital as well.

Every day brings new challenges to the group. Problems keep arising and surprises never seem to stop. The situation is disastrous, but the will is there. People need our help; they now depend on us. They depend on you too.

Join us with your questions in a Live Dialogue with Nadim Zaazaa on Thursday, August 3, from 16:00 to 18:00 GMT.

Nadim Zaazaa is Mowatinun's media representative. You can find more info about the organization at www.mowatinun.blogspot.com