Lebanons Migrants Unite to Feed War-Displaced Population Through Food Efforts

Lebanon’s Migrant Community Steps Up to Support Fellow Citizens

In a suburb just north of Beirut, a community centre called Tres Marias is providing daily meals to approximately 200 people. The majority of those served are migrant workers. Myra Aragon, the centre’s owner, prepares traditional Filipino dishes such as chicken afritada. Her kitchen also serves as a gathering space for the community.

According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) project coordinator Abdel Halim Abdallah, migrant workers face various restrictions. Despite these challenges, they often show love and solidarity through food, which can be a unifying force.

The conflict between Lebanon and Israel has resulted in significant displacement of people. At least one million individuals have been forced to flee their homes, including those from the south and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Many Lebanese have sought refuge with friends or relatives, while others are living in shelters or on the street.

Migrant workers have also been affected by Israeli attacks. Two Sudanese nationals were killed in an attack on April 5 in Jnah, a suburb of Beirut. An Ethiopian national was killed when Israel demolished a building in Beirut’s Tallet el Khayat neighbourhood on April 8.

According to figures compiled by the American University of Beirut, over 200,000 migrant workers are living in Lebanon today. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that 48,000 migrants have been displaced since March.

Many migrant workers rely on community housing or receive support from their embassy due to the country’s kafala labour system, which can lead to abuse and discrimination. Shelters are supposed to accept all displaced people, regardless of nationality, but in practice, this is not always the case.

In response to these challenges, some migrant communities have organized themselves to provide support to one another. Tres Marias is one such example, with Aragon opening her centre to serve as a food kitchen and community space.

Source: Al Jazeera