The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), in collaboration with UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO), has announced emergency financial aid for families of children and persons with disabilities affected by the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. The initiative will provide one-off cash support of USD 100 to approximately 6,000 families with children aged 0 to 19 who have disabilities, benefiting around 24,000 individuals. This aid is primarily directed to families already enrolled in the National Disability Allowance (NDA), with plans to expand coverage depending on available resources and the evolving situation.
Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayyed emphasized the importance of supporting persons with disabilities as part of MoSA’s commitment to building an inclusive social protection system. She highlighted the value of international partnerships, especially with UNICEF and ILO, in helping expand the response to those most in need. The government is also advancing regular NDA payments for all 34,000 persons with disabilities to address the rising household needs during this time of emergency and displacement.
This cash support is part of MoSA’s broader emergency response plan, leveraging the National Disability Allowance (NDA) program, which is supported by UNICEF, ILO, and European partners. UNICEF’s Marcoluigi Corsi noted that children and persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis, as they face challenges like displacement and additional costs due to their disabilities. The activation of NDA emergency assistance is intended to ensure these families receive timely support.
Ruba Jaradat, ILO Regional Director for Arab States, emphasized the ILO’s long-standing partnership with Lebanon to build an inclusive social protection system. Despite Lebanon’s current challenges, the ILO is committed to ensuring the continuation of the NDA program to protect and support the most vulnerable members of society. The NDA Emergency Response draws on lessons learned from the 2024 hostilities and has been crucial in providing rights-based support to persons with disabilities, empowering them to access essential services like health, education, and livelihoods.
