Yesterday I went on a refugee house to house visit in Lebanon. We saw a mixture of Syrian and Palestinian families however the situation for Palestinian refugees is much worse because they have zero rights here and even the refugee agencies treat Palestinians separately creating further marginalisation. Interestingly there is a sense of community in the settlements but those living in extreme poverty in make shift containers are completely alone and isolated. This is a container where a Palestinian woman with mental health problems is living with her two kids. The father used to stub out cigarettes on the little girls body. As a result the 4 year old boy and 5 year old girl were subject to a lot of mental and physical abuse. The little girl, especially, is almost emotionless and unable to communicate. It's the worst case I've seen here. They are completely destitute and in need of help. Salam charity who I am working alongside have already referred this family to a protection unit but the process is slow and we don't know when or if they will move. Myself and Razia Anwar are revisiting on Friday with clothes and food. Most importantly we are going to spend some time with the kids carrying out playing activities to help normalise the children. There are many more families in a similar situation. For this reason I have decided to help the most destitute families specifically living in these type of shelters.

I will be returning in a couple of months and I'm starting a new campaign to raise funds to help these families. Once the money is raised I will return to Lebanon and pay for these two children and their mum to receive psychiatric help, accommodation and education. Any remaining money wil be spent on other families living in appalling conditions within containers. Some families are living in complete darkness with no light. We need the funds to make their living environment fit for human habitation.