With the mental health situation in Lebanon gradually worsening due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the unprecedented economic situation in Lebanon, the need for deep discussions is required to understand the struggles and concerns of people in Al-Inmaa refugee camp.
Despite the efforts made by Africa Muslim Agency’s Basamat team to stand with the families of Al-Inmaa refugee camp and provide them with remote psychosocial support sessions (PSS) since the beginning of the lockdown in Lebanon, a visit to the shelter site was a must. Focus group discussions with the caregivers and the children were conducted to get a better and deepened understanding of the situation. Questions related to coping mechanisms, household changes, family communication changes, and positive methods were discussed and feedback (as an evaluation tool) for the remote PSS was received.
The whole team was supervising and conducting the activity while considering all safety measures (wearing face masks, taking the body temperature of all individuals entering the center, using hand sanitizers, disinfection of center in between sessions, etc.)
The caregivers and children were super excited to go back to the community center and stay for a while. everyone in the shelter site is looking forward to re-initiating center-based activities, knowing that they all understand that all the changes in the modality of work is due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).