29-09-2026 | di COOPI

Lebanon. Social Development Centers at the heart of the emergency response

When the escalation of hostilities in southern Lebanon forced thousands of families to flee their homes, public social services became a critical lifeline for displaced communities. Through the project "SABAH - Supporting SDCs in Akkar, Baalbeck-el-Hermel and North Lebanon to increase access to health, social services and economic livelihoods opportunities", COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, with the support of the Italian Cooperation and funding from the European Union under the program “EU 4 Lebanon Inclusive Services for Social Actions”, is working to ensure that Social Development Centers (SDCs), run by the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs, could respond rapidly to the emergency.

The project had already been strengthening the capacity of Social Development Centers before the crisis unfolded. By supporting staff, improving coordination, and ensuring that essential resources were available, COOPI helped make these public services able to respond to growing needs. When displaced families began arriving, the centers were therefore able to adapt quickly and provide support to both displaced people and vulnerable members of the host communities. COOPI supported the centers with cleaning materials to maintain safe and hygienic shelter conditions and provided blankets, family hygiene kits and dignity kits to displaced families, as well as assistive devices and diapers for people with disabilities.

Maha*, a displaced woman who received support through one of the Social Development Centers shared her experience:

When we came here, we didn’t know what to expect. We had to leave our home quickly and everything changed in a short time. At the [Social Development] Center, we found people who welcomed us and helped us understand what support was available. They gave us the things we needed, but also took the time to listen to us. This was very important for us. In a difficult moment, having a place where we could come, ask for help and feel respected made a big difference.

The centers continue to facilitate access to healthcare consultations, social support and referral services, ensuring that displaced families could be connected with the most appropriate assistance despite the rapidly evolving humanitarian situation.

As one staff member from a supported Social Development Center explained:

During the emergency response, the support provided through the project allowed the center to respond more effectively to families seeking assistance. Having the needed staff, supplies, and coordination in place made a real difference in our ability to serve the community during a very difficult period.

The experience demonstrated the importance of investing in resilient public institutions before emergencies occur. By strengthening existing public services, the project enabled local centers to rapidly adapt their operations and provide timely support when communities needed it most.

---

COOPI has been working in Lebanon since 2013, where it supports Syrian refugees and host communities – particularly women and children – through projects focused on child protection, improving sanitation and hygiene, and the socio-economic empowerment of the population.

* Fictitious name