Vital support for Palestine refugees with renal (kidney) failure People diagnosed with renal (kidney) failure need to undergo two to three kidney dialysis treatments per week in order to survive. Palestinian refugees in Lebanon (PRL) and Palestinian refugees from Syria (PRS) diagnosed with kidney failure are not supported by UNRWA and need to pay approx. US$ 100 per session in private hospitals even though they are one of the most vulnerable and poorest communities in Lebanon. Welfare Association – Lebanon branch is the largest supporter of these individuals, providing them with a free-of-charge treatment at two Kidney Dialysis Units (KDUs) (located in North and South Lebanon). Welfare Association – Lebanon branch began providing support to people with kidney failure in 1996. In 2017, the number of assisted individuals reached 122 patients (14,640 kidney dialysis sessions were provided).

At the moment, Welfare Association – Lebanon branch needs urgent support to continue providing lifesaving assistance to these individuals. Several factors have contributed to reach the current situation including: the fluctuating funding environment (prioritising Syrian refugees in Lebanon), increasing number of beneficiaries (influx of PRS in Lebanon), worn out equipment needing urgent replacement, funding cuts to UNRWA and UNICEF in Lebanon (having indirect impact on Welfare Association’s fundraising efforts), etc.

Through this project, Welfare Association aims to cover its funding gaps and improve the service delivery to 122 Palestinian refugees with kidney failure (108 of them are PRL and 14 PRS). More specifically, through this project, Welfare Association – Lebanon branch proposes to procure new Kidney Dialysis Machines (to replace the old, worn out and inefficient ones used at the moment), and procure some critical consumable material used for treatment of people with kidney failure. In case of approval of the project proposal, Welfare Association - Lebanon branch will be able to channel the already secured funds to supporting the salaries of the nurses and doctors working in both KDUs (as well as some running costs). It is expected that the already secured funds (from individual and institutional donors) will cover approximately 50% of the overall cost of the programme for a duration of one year (the presented project proposal will cover the remaining 50%).

If approved, the project will provide Welfare Association – Lebanon branch with the needed time to revise and update its fundraising strategy and approach (in light of the recent funding cuts to projects/programmes supporting Palestinian refugees), and mitigate the potential risk of being forced to administer additional 15 cases in the KDUs which are currently supported by the Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon (the support by the Ministry might stop at the end of May or June 2018).

The need for support to Palestinian refugees with kidney failure is constantly highlighted by all relevant stakeholders. For example, it was emphasized during a Health Working Group Mapping Meeting organized by UNRWA on 29th March 2017.

Considering that this project is designed to provide assistance to highly vulnerable individuals with uncovered needs, it clearly is in line with this call for proposal's focus and Lebanon Crisis Response Plan’s strategic objectives (Provide immediate assistance to vulnerable populations).