Minister Karamet Honors Ministry Volunteers: Supported Displaced Amid Difficult Conditions

The Ministry of Social Affairs, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) honored 120 ministry coordinators and volunteers who provided support to internally displaced persons in collective shelters during the recent conflict, following the completion of a program designed to enhance shelter coordination and improve emergency preparedness.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Minister of Social Affairs Hnin Al-Sayyed, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Lebanon and Acting Head of Mission Sami Saadi, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Lebanon Thaer Sharideh, representatives from the Lebanese Red Cross – Beirut Disaster Risk Management Unit, the Lebanese University working team, shelter coordinators and volunteers, and development partners.

According to a statement, the Ministry trained 120 coordinators and volunteers responsible for managing 154 collective shelters across Beirut during the escalation of the conflict in March 2026 and the subsequent wave of displacement, equipping them with practical skills to strengthen operations, funded by the European Union and supported by UNDP and Peaceful Progress Movement (PPM). The program contributed to strengthening the Ministry’s response to the crisis by improving service delivery, enhancing coordination among shelters, and bolstering its readiness for future emergencies.

Al-Sayyed

Al-Sayyed stated: "During the recent response, coordinators from the Ministry of Social Affairs, social workers, and volunteers played a pivotal role in supporting displaced families and ensuring collective shelters met people's needs under extremely difficult conditions. Their dedication underscores the importance of investing in strengthening national and local capacities for emergency preparedness and response. We express our deepest gratitude to the European Union and UNDP for their partnership and support in building these capabilities, and to every coordinator and volunteer whose commitment, professionalism, and service were instrumental in the success of this response."

Saadi

On his part, Saadi noted that "This program is one of several initiatives we have supported in recent months to help address this crisis. Such crises highlight the importance of institutions and their role; it is strong institutions, not just emergency aid, that determine how well any country can respond to emergencies. Whether through this program or via our direct partnership in the Amman cash assistance and cash transfer program for persons with disabilities, our goal has been singular: to strengthen the Ministry’s own capacity to deliver services, ensuring reliable and regular support reaches people through the Lebanese state itself."

Sharideh

Sharideh said: "The coordinators and volunteers of the Ministry of Social Affairs have demonstrated true courage and commitment by showing up daily alongside displaced families in the most challenging circumstances. This capacity-building program is part of UNDP’s ongoing commitment to support Lebanese public institutions and local communities in enhancing preparedness and safeguarding human dignity during times of crisis."

Finally, completion certificates were distributed to coordinators and volunteers in recognition of their dedication and service to displaced families.