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The reality of extremely vulnerable
Iraqis in Lebanon
Case I
M. is a father of 5 children; he is 55 years old, married to
Z. who is 48 years old. Their children are aged between 3 and
17 years. Three of them are attending school while the other 2
are working and taking care of the family. The family fled Iraq
in January 2006 after experiencing ethnic persecution and due
to increased insecurity.
On their way to Lebanon, they faced a multitude of obstacles
and accidents that caused them trauma especially for M., the father,
who formerly had a career in commerce. He has been unable to find
employment in Lebanon, and now depends on the income of his children.
Their meager earnings are not sufficient to cover all of the essential
needs and especially the medical treatment of their parents.
M. benefited from several cardiologist consultations at Caritas
Medical Centers as he suffers from a multitude of chronic diseases,
such as diabetes and various cardiac problems.
One day, he came to the EVI program suffering from a deep pain
in his chest. He was referred directly to the governmental hospital
in order to be diagnosed. He underwent several examinations (lab
and radiology). At the time this case was written, the results
showed that M. may be suffering from lung cancer but more exams
were requested.
In the meantime, the EVI program is ensuring that the prescription
schedule for his chronic illnesses is being followed rigorously
and that he is attended to by the Caritas cardiologist.
Case II
S.'s family is composed of a father (47 years old) who used to
suffer from cancer and was treated in Iraq, the mother (42 years
old,) the elder son, S., (13 years old) who is physically and
mentally handicapped; and his sister (11 years old) who attends
school.
The father was formerly the owner of an alcoholic beverages company
in Iraq, where he was able to ensure all the essential needs of
his family, including those of his son, were met. The mother did
not work in Iraq and attended to the children, especially her
son, who beside his mental handicap, suffers from an orthopedic
distortion at the level of the ankles.
Due to the Islamic laws in Iraq forbidding the consumption of
alcohol, the company was burned down by unidentified arsons and
the father was repeatedly threatened. The family could not withstand
the persecution and fled Iraq in October 2006 for Lebanon.
Currently, no one in the family is employed. The family is spending
the dwindling savings brought with them from Iraq. The mother
has been assessed by caseworkers as clinically depressed and her
condition is worsening due to the tension and instability and
her concern about the future of her family.
S. has been adversely affected by the psychological condition
of his mother. During the past 2 months, his situation became
more complicated; he cannot walk alone anymore, and requires constant
assistance.
He was subsequently referred to an orthopedic doctor who determined
that S. needs to urgently undergo an operation on his feet, costing
$2,250 USD per foot. After discussing the file with the EVI program
committee and due to the vulnerability of the case, it was determined
that the program can cover the sum of $1,000 USD for the hospitalization.
EVI program case workers also contacted UNHCR for assistance,
and they agreed to contribute $1,200 USD. At the time of report
writing S. had undergone the operation on one foot and the family
was waiting for him to recover in order to undergo the second
operation.
Case III
Family M. came to Lebanon on November 28th, 2006, the father,
36 years old, the mother, 33 years and 3 children: R. 9 years,
M. 6 years, and Z. 2 years. The family fled Iraq after suffering
several personal threats and general persecution. The family came
to Lebanon legally. They were able to find a house in Beirut suburbs
and the father found a low-paying job as a concierge in one of
the buildings.
During the family visit, the social worker noticed that the family
is living in vulnerable conditions, where the rooms were humid,
insalubrious and unfurnished. The children left school and stayed
at home all day after their father was unable to afford their
books. The social worker then visited the school to meet with
the director and organize for their re-enrollment with the assurance
that the EVI program would cover the book expenses.
Family D. is composed of 4 members; a 28 year old father, a 27
year old mother and two sons aged 3 and 1.
During their stay in Iraq (Baghdad), the family suffered threats
of a religious nature, connected to their being apart of the Sunni
sect of Islam, and became the target of further violence.
As a result, the family decided to leave their country of origin
and to come to Lebanon illegally by crossing through Syria. They
paid $200 USD to smugglers to assist them to reach Lebanon; they
arrived on December 7, 2006.
The family rented a small room on the roof of a building and
is paying $100 USD per month. The accommodation is insalubrious,
humid and devoid of furniture. The father used to be a taxi driver
in Iraq and has been searching for a job since his arrival in
Lebanon, but as an unskilled Iraqi without legal residency status
he has not been successful. The family applied to UNHCR for refugee
status but is still awaiting a decision.
During the field visit, the social worker noticed that the family
has no means to ensure that their basic needs are met. The EVI
program assisted the family by providing humanitarian assistance
such as diapers, milk, sheets, blankets and mattresses, a food
package, housing assistance, a heater, shoes, socks and clothes
for the two children. The family also benefited from medical assistance
as both children suffer from genetic malformations, one in his
ear and the other in his nose and mouth.
A Moment of
Joy
"A Jordanian man came to our office asking for assistance
for his elderly Iraqi neighbour. He explained that the man couldn't
move and wasn't able to our office himself.
I went to visit him with a colleague….and although both
of us had been exposed to a lot of horrible cases; we were shocked
by this one. His house was small and very poorly furnished. He
was sitting on a plastic chair, which he also sleeps on. He doesn't
get off of it. He has had three heart attacks and is now partially
paralysed.
After our visit we organized to cover the costs of admission
to the hospital so that doctors can monitor him and perform some
tests to determine his exact condition; with provided him with
a wheelchair that reclines, so that he could sleep in it, and
that also had a portable toilet, and we also collected some books
for him, as he said he liked to read.
I will never forget his face at that moment."
ICMC Programme Manager, Jordan
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