Lebanese Civil Society and the Impact of COVID 19: A Survey of Perceptions and Responses to the Pandemic
When COVID-19 arrived in Lebanon in late February, the country was several months into what is arguably its deepest political, financial and socio-economic crisis since the end of the civil war in 1990. In this context, the pandemic exacerbated prevailing challenges and vulnerabilities. While Lebanese authorities acted swiftly to prevent the healthcare system from becoming overburdened, accompanying social and economic measures to relieve pressure on individuals, households and companies suffering from the economic downturn have been slow to materialise. These broader socio-economic consequences of the pandemic are likely to be deeper and more enduring than the pandemic itself. Already rampant food insecurity has worsened, education for children across Lebanon has been interrupted, and social protection for the most vulnerable has deteriorated, including for women and girls, refugees, migrants, and persons with disabilities. Coupled with the unchecked devaluation of the Lebanese lira and rise of food prices, the challenges to vulnerable population groups are immense.
In order to understand how civil society is coping, adapting and responding to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the governmental response to the health emergency, ARK conducted a survey with representatives of 21 Lebanese civil society organisations (CSOs).
Among organisations surveyed, there was overwhelming sentiment that the impact of COVID-19 in Lebanon would engender serious consequences, albeit declining in severity over time. With business across the country shuttered, the Lebanese lira in severe decline, and little prospect for improvement, the labour market was cited as chief concern among nearly all CSOs surveyed. In addition to worry about the pandemic’s effort on the labour market, nearly three-quarters of CSOs also expressed concern about pressure on health services, levels of public debt, the microeconomic situation, pressure on public/social services and gender-based violence.
Mirroring national sentiment in Lebanon, concern over the pandemic was coupled with general dissatisfaction regarding the central government’s response. As suggested by worry regarding the labour market, criticism of economic measures taken by the government in response to the pandemic was particularly pronounced, with no CSOs viewing measures as appropriate. Perhaps in part due to their role in compensating for governmental shortcomings nationally, local government was seen in a more positive light.
Like local governments, CSOs have also found themselves serving as first responders to the crisis, with 16 of those surveyed involved in the COVID response. However, despite a clear readiness to respond to the current crisis, 71% of those surveyed were themselves anticipating a substantial impact on the short- and medium-term operations of their organisation.
Among those organisations surveyed, the pandemic halted most field-based activities or face-to-face services and is delaying some projects and causing the suspension of others. Organisations have had to request extensions for projects that were not adaptable to the new circumstances. In turn, funding transfers have been delayed and new funding opportunities became more limited. With fewer funding opportunities, higher competition over grants, the inability to host fundraising events and the decline in governmental support, the challenge for the organisations is one of surviving the consecutive crises they are exposed to in Lebanon.
In the absence of an appropriate and comprehensive plan to tackle the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, and with the public sector under-resourced and overextended, Lebanese civil society has a key role to play in shielding the most vulnerable. CSOs are willing and able, if adequately resourced, to support the response to the pandemic. However, there is a limited window of opportunity. Stakeholders looking to support Lebanese CSOs in that critical endeavour should note that many of these organisations are in dire need of financial assistance to withstand the impact of the crisis. This period is, for many of these organisations, chiefly about survival.
