Assistance to Syrian-Armenians

The ongoing war in Syria and the continued influx of refugees, including Syrian-Armenians, to Lebanon, have led JMP–L to participate in the provision of assistance to refugees.

In Lebanon, Syrians do not have medical coverage, neither from the National Social Security Fund nor from the Ministry of Health. Those who are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have received some assistance for food items and one-time rent, and some with hospitalization expenses at specified hospitals. However, due to budgetary limitations, UNHCR’s assistance has dwindled over time.

In the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation (HKCC)’s center, an office has been established for emergency relief assistance to Syrian-Armenian families. The families are interviewed and documented.

Initially, JMP–L was able to assist Syrian-Armenian refugees with job placements and distribution of food boxes given by Bible Society Lebanon. JMP–L assisted individuals who were JMP–Syria clients on a case-by-case basis through phone or internet communication.

With the approval of JMP–USA, as of May 2013, JMP–L began assisting applicants with medical needs, after consultation within and with other NGOs. Syrian-Armenian refugees have been referred to JMP–L usually by social workers at HKCC or the Armenian Evangelical Social Center in Trad, where special assistance for Syrians is provided. As of October 2013, YMCA and the Lebanese Ministry of Health began providing a specified list of medications through HKCC, for distribution to Syrian-Armenian refugees. JMP–L distributed YMCA medications for chronic illnesses to Syrian-Armenians until April 2014 (since then, they are dispensed to refugees directly from HKCC). Besides medications, guidance, and employment, JMP–L has primarily been involved in securing discounts and offering partial financial assistance for hospitalization and/or minor medical expenses (such as laboratory and diagnostic tests). Some Syrian-Armenians have also continued coming to JMP–L for medications when they do not find them in HKCC.

Over the past few years, JMP–L has also continued participating in the regular meetings of representatives of Armenian NGOs in order to share information and provide coordinated assistance to Syrian-Armenian refugees.

As at 31 December 2015, JMP–L has created 292 files for Syrian-Armenian refugees.