Expanding the social safety net to protect vulnerable communities in Lebanon

From the sky, Tripoli’s Hay Al Tanak, or the Tin Neighbourhood, looks exactly like a maze. Mona is one of the people who live on the edge of this maze. Each day brings a new challenge to her and the people she must feed.

Mona never expected that she would need assistance just to stay afloat. But since the beginning of the pandemic, buying a few staple items at the supermarket can equate to spending Lebanon’s minimum monthly wage.

“Before COVID-19 and all that is happening, everything in Lebanon was somewhat affordable,” she explains.

Thanks to the assistance Mona received from Canada through the National Poverty Targeting Programme, she is now able to feed her children.

“Children benefit the most when fed nutritious food,” she says, as she sneaks a quick glance at one of her children, rocking on his chair next to her. “Food keeps children healthy, immune to diseases and helps them grow right in front of our eyes.”

“When we were informed that our household was eligible for aid, we immediately felt happy,” Mona recalls. “No one could believe how glad I was. I’ve been wanting the WFP [World Food Programme] food e-card for a very long time.