BEIRUT, 11 August 2026 –The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognized 120 Ministry of Social Affairs coordinators and volunteers who supported internally displaced persons (IDPs) in collective shelters throughout the recent conflict, following the completion of a programme to strengthen shelter coordination and preparedness for future emergencies. 

The ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun, bringing together H.E. Ms. Haneen Sayed, Minister of Social Affairs; Mr. Samy Saadi, Chargé d’Affaires a.i of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon; and Mr. Thair Shraideh, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Lebanon, alongside representatives of the Lebanese Red Cross – Disaster Risk Management Unit in Beirut, the Lebanese University Task Force, shelter coordinators, volunteers and development partners. 

With the escalation of the conflict in March 2026 triggering a new wave of displacement, the Ministry of Social Affairs trained 120 coordinators and volunteers managing 154 collective shelters across Beirut, with funding from the European Union and support from UNDP and the Permanent Peace Movement. The programme supported the Ministry's response to the crisis, improving service delivery and coordination across shelters, while also strengthening its preparedness for future emergencies. 

H.E. Ms. Haneen Sayed, Minister of Social Affairs, said: “Throughout the recent response, Ministry of Social Affairs coordinators, social workers and volunteers played a critical role in supporting displaced families and ensuring that collective shelters remained responsive to people’s needs under extremely difficult conditions. Their dedication demonstrated the importance of investing in strong national and local capacities for emergency preparedness and response. We are deeply grateful to the European Union and UNDP for their partnership and support in strengthening these capacities, and to every coordinator and volunteer whose commitment, professionalism and service made this response possible.”

Mr. Samy Saadi, Chargé d’Affaires a.i of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, said: “Today's programme is one of several initiatives we have supported in recent months to help address this crisis, and crises like this one show us why institutions matter: it is strong institutions, not just emergency aid, that determine how well a country can respond. That is why, whether through this programme or through our direct partnership on the AMAN cash assistance programme and National Disability Allowance, our aim has been the same: to strengthen the Ministry's own ability to deliver, so that support reaches people reliably, through the Lebanese state itself.” 

"The Ministry of Social Affairs coordinators and volunteers have demonstrated true courage and commitment through their daily presence alongside displaced families under the most challenging conditions," said Mr. Thair Shraideh, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Lebanon. "This capacity-building program reflects UNDP's ongoing commitment to supporting Lebanese public institutions and local communities to strengthen emergency preparedness and uphold human dignity during times of crisis."  

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates of completion to the 120 Ministry of Social Affairs coordinators and volunteers in recognition of their commitment and dedicated service to displaced families throughout the recent conflict.