Tackling Instability and Drug Use through Environmental Initiatives

In January 2021, under the CSSF-funded Palestinian Community Resilience Building project, our Palestinian partner Ahleam Lajae (ALA) launched the first recycling plant in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon. In addition to having a clear environmental objective, the project aims to address drivers of instability whilst promoting social cohesion. The choice of Shatila was deliberate, given the 89% youth unemployment rate and the pervasive drugs problem in the camp. 

Turf wars amongst drug dealers exacerbate the chronic insecurity and socio-economic hardship in the camp, resulting in ten deaths a year. The inability or unwillingness to act by Palestinian governance and security actors simply compounds the sense of hopelessness felt by many camp residents. In a survey conducted by ARK in the Palestinian refugee camps in March 2021, 97% of Shatila residents 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' with the statement, 'Many youth in the camp have problems with drugs or alcohol'. Likewise, asked about the severity of different problems in the camp, of the 97% who said that drugs were a significant problem, 26.2% characterised drug use in the camps as 'amongst the greatest threats facing society' in Shatila. 

By working with Palestinian partners based in the camp, the project can directly target beneficiaries based on a multi-faceted vulnerability assessment. Of the 150 youth from Shatila and the surrounding areas engaged to work in the recycling facility, 46 were previously involved in the drug business. The project has provided them with a livelihood opportunity, a chance to raise their standing in the community, as well as targeted psychosocial and therapeutic support to enhance their self-esteem and mental and physical health.

The Palestinian security committee in the camp confirm that the project has directly contributed to a 70% reduction in security incidents in the camp year-on-year, despite the deteriorating socioeconomic situation in Lebanon and the compounding impact of the pandemic. In a first, during the last five months there have been no injuries or deaths due to security or drug-related incidents in Shatila. 

If able to secure further support, our Palestinian partners will seek to expand the project into other Palestinian communities in Beirut, proving what is good for the environment is also good for Palestinian safety and wellbeing, as well as Lebanese security.