As the economic collapse continues to impoverish communities throughout Lebanon, Syrian refugees and Lebanese struggle to cope with unemployment depression. It is hard to keep your spirit high during these difficult times said Malek, who lives near Tripoli with his pregnant wife and three children.

"Almost 90 percent of our youth is without a job, it is a serious issue!" he said.

Malek is one of 400 Syrians and Lebanese who joined IOM's Cash-for-Work programme (CfW) which enables people to generate temporary income through restoring public spaces while at the same time it is strengthening social cohesion between Lebanese and Syrians in Northern parts of Lebanon.

"We cleaned public spaces, painted sidewalks, planted trees, and paved the potholes. It was very satisfying to work together and support the community," said Malek as he continues "This experience reminded me how important it is to stay occupied with work and make yourself useful."

After completing 15 days of work, CfW participants came in groups to collect the cash, where they also attended the session about COVID-19 vaccination and received hygiene kits. Malek stated: “With this cash, I will be able to buy diapers for my babies and pay apartment rent. It will last me one week.”

During the distribution, we also talked with Zeinab. She was concerned about how to go through Ramadan without enough food to prepare iftar for her old parents.

"It is not going to be the same Ramadan as before, but at least with this money, I will be able to buy food and prepare iftar for my family”. "An economic crisis seriously affects our mental health. Constantly thinking about problems makes me depressed," said Zeinab.

IOM CfW is one of the three main components of the Japanese-funded project “Enhancing Community Stability, Livelihood Provision and Health Assistance to Vulnerable Communities”. It also includes providing health care assistance to vulnerable populations as well as the “Community Support Projects” component, which engages a wide range of community figures to address common local challenges through the improvement of infrastructure, facilities, and services.

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