Alleviating the Burdens of Displacement on Persons With Disabilities Among Refugees from Syria and their Peers in Lebanese Host Communities The World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF) is submitting this Project proposal in reference to the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) - Standard Allocation March – May 2018.

This proposed project is designed to contribute to efforts to address critical “life-saving” needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs) among refugees from Syria (RfS) in Lebanon and their peers in the Lebanese host communities (LHCs). Proposed interventions in the eight Governorates of Lebanon are programmed to be implemented over a period of six months set to start on July 1, 2018.

The proposed project aims to improve the physical and psycho-social well-being and protection of 900 PWDs (among RfS and their peers in LHCs) who have “life-saving” needs. It will also improve their livelihoods and social inclusion, decrease their social burden, and expand their contribution to family and community wellbeing all within the context of effective advocacy of their safety, dignity, and rights. In doing this, the project will:
- Fill critical gaps in humanitarian assistance targeting one of the most vulnerable groups.
- Complement an ongoing assistance project currently implemented by WRF by providing essential assistance to beneficiaries who are not able to benefit from the ongoing project due to funding limitations.
- Bridge funding gaps to avoid long interruption in basic and life-saving assistance to PWDs.
- Ensure direct assistance and protection for 900 seriously disadvantaged persons with physical or sensory disabilities by providing critically needed rehabilitation and mobility aids and self-care supplies, visual aids, hearing aids and related therapy.
- Expand the operational and assistance capacities of native community based organizations and service providers.
- Advocate for the rights and needs of PWDs with particular attention to women, children, and youth who are among the most vulnerable.

The proposed interventions are based on an in-depth evolving understanding of needs and the experiential understanding and know-how of WRF gained through years of experience in Lebanon (since 1984). Experience includes:
1-	The ongoing implementation of an assistance Project titled “Filling Assistance Gaps in Basic Rehabilitation Services for Syrian Refugees with Disabilities and their Peers in Host Communities in Lebanon” (September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018) funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the United States Department of State.
2-	The successful and efficient implementation of an LHF funded project (June – December 2016) that provided direct assistance in the form of prosthetic and orthotic devices and prescription hearing aids and eyeglasses to 769 persons with disabilities among RfS and their peers in LHCs.
3-	The successful and efficient implementation of an ERF funded project (November 2013 - May 2014) that provided direct assistance in the form of prosthetic and orthotic devices and prescription hearing aids and eyeglasses to 738 persons with disabilities among RfS and their peers in LHCs.
4-	A leadership role in advocacy since June 2013 as a founding member and as the “Secretariat” of the Disability and Older Age Working Group (DaOAWG) in Lebanon.
5-	Active involvement in the National Protection Working Group (PWG) since April 2013 and as an elected member of the National Protection Core Group (July 2015 - November 2016).
6-	Active involvement in the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) 2017-2020 as one of the partners involved in developing the Protection Sector Strategic Plan and related indicators within the context of the National Protection Core Group.
7-	A long track record and experience in addressing various needs of PWDs in Lebanon (since 1984) including post-war humanitarian assistance with funding from USAID, The Leahy War Victims Fund, UNDP, and OFDA.

WRF is requesting funding in the amount of $296,702 US Dollars to implement this proposed project.