Bashar Qutli

For every call, there is a response, and in every crisis, there is presence. The Islamic Orphanage, a foundation that witnessed the birth of Lebanon, has left its mark on the country’s history through acts of charity and development. It carries a humanitarian mission driven by its values, dedicated to serving all those in need, wherever possible.

Throughout its long history, the Islamic Orphanage has played a pivotal role in providing relief and humanitarian support. It has exemplified resilience and responsiveness to the crises Lebanon has endured. Since its inception during World War I, the orphanage has fulfilled its charitable mission and was always at the forefront of institutions offering assistance during difficult times. Over the years, it made significant humanitarian contributions, including the establishment of the “Permanent Palestine Office” in 1946-1947 to support Palestinians and the reception of children from the Arab Orphan Association displaced from Acre after the 1948 Nakba. Following the Israeli aggression in 1967, the orphanage launched social and educational initiatives to support residents in southern Lebanon, offering vocational education and social services to address deprivation.

In 1976, it founded the New Generation School to accommodate children displaced from nearby areas where schools had closed. During the Lebanese Civil War in 1983, it hosted children from the Druze Orphanage in Aley, providing refuge to those affected by the “Mountain War.” The orphanage also provided substantial support in 1985, emptying its warehouses of food, clothing, and essentials to aid the people of Tripoli under siege, in response to an appeal by President Rashid Karami. Following the bombing of the elderly care home during the “War of the Camps,” it accommodated around 800 elderly and sick individuals when the government could not provide alternative housing.

During the July 2006 war, the orphanage opened its doors to displaced people across multiple centers, reaffirming its commitment to care for the needy. In response to the humanitarian repercussions of the recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon, the Social Welfare Institutions – Islamic Orphanage launched a comprehensive relief program to assist displaced and affected families. The campaign includes providing shelter, food, clothing, and psychological and social support, with a particular focus on families with disabled individuals, given the limited institutions offering specialized care.

Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, nine centers were designated to receive displaced families, including shelter seekers, staff members and their families, as well as residents and their relatives. In Beirut and Mount Lebanon, three specialized centers are dedicated to displaced individuals with disabilities and their families. Upon entering one of the orphanage’s shelters, you are greeted by a welcoming smile from the staff, radiating determination and warmth to all residents, reflecting their satisfaction with the role their institution plays in supporting them and their families.

Simultaneously, to meet the needs of displaced persons in schools, specialized field teams were formed to assess their requirements, distributing food, clothing, blankets, and other essential supplies. Psychological, social, and educational activities were also provided to instill positivity among the children.

In the initial weeks of the program, 800 individuals were housed within the orphanage’s centers, and aid was provided to around 4,277 people across 74 visited schools. Moreover, 1,352 children received psychological and social support, with 40,800 meals served internally and 1,138 meals distributed externally, alongside the consumption of 27,200 liters of diesel fuel.

The Islamic Orphanage, through transparency and collaborative management, aims to forge strong partnerships with local and international institutions, seeking further support from Lebanese communities across regions, as well as Arab and international communities. It welcomes in-kind and financial donations at its centers or through dedicated online donation portals to meet growing needs, especially those of children, infants, the elderly, women, and people with disabilities. The support extends to energy, water, nutrition, medical care, winter clothing, hygiene supplies, and more, striving to safeguard social security within Lebanese society as a whole.

General Director of Social Welfare Institutions in Lebanon – Islamic Orphanage