“As tensions rise across Lebanon,the need for local community resilience has never been more urgent. At Smart Municipal Academy,through our Youth Community Initiative,we recognised that Deir Al Ahmar Region – being a rural and often overlooked region – needed more than just reactive measures. We played a key role in strengthening the current rescue team by guiding them to confidently apply for and manage funds in the future. In addition to sharing this knowledge,we also provided financial support to train 17 volunteers in first aid,search and rescue,and crisis management. These volunteers are not just leaing skills; they’re becoming the first line of defence for their own community,ready to step in during emergencies,be those conflict-related or natural disasters.
In the face of mass displacement,these 17 volunteers have mobilised to support more than 8,000 inteally displaced people who have fled to Deir al Ahmar,often arriving without any essentials. By providing essential services such as basic medical assistance and emotional support,they are addressing immediate needs while fostering a sense of community. Their commitment exemplifies the power of local action and the importance of stepping up for those stricken by adversity.
This initiative has received crucial support from DRI,which provided additional funds. With their help,we were able to purchase necessary clothing and gear for the volunteers,ensuring they were properly equipped to operate safely. This kind of support is invaluable because it allows us to expand the training and enlist more volunteers,which is critical in areas where resources are already stretched thin.
Deir Al Ahmar region,like many rural areas,often lacks the infrastructure and immediate access to emergency services that other parts of Lebanon might have. That is why our work here is so vital. By training volunteers locally,we are ensuring that when a crisis hits,there are people on the ground who are prepared,who know the community,and who can respond immediately. It is about building long-term resilience,not just reacting to short-term needs.
What is particularly important to understand is that initiatives like this don’t just benefit the volunteers or even just the people of Deir Al Ahmar; they create a ripple effect. By investing in local communities and empowering them to take charge of their own safety,we are fostering a broader sense of solidarity and collective responsibility. As Lebanon faces increasingly difficult times,the ability of communities to stand together and support one another is what will help us get through this.
We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received so far,but more is needed. If there is one message I would like to send,it is that now is the time to invest in initiatives like ours. Whether it is through funding,resources,or simply raising awareness,every bit of support can ensure that vulnerable communities like Deir Al Ahmar are better prepared for the challenges ahead. This is not just about one region,but rather about building a stronger,more resilient Lebanon for all of us.”