***** CONTEXT - THE SITUATION IN LEBANON***** Lebanon is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Ordinary people are struggling to access basic medicines we take for granted: antibiotics, blood pressure tablets, and pain relief. According to the Syndicate of Pharmaceutical Importers, “the stocks of hundreds of other medicines are likely to run out during July."
*****WHAT ALMA IS DOING***** The Australian Lebanese Medical Association (ALMA) has organised a medicines drive. The last shipment was in July 2021, and there are two options to help: 1. General Appeal - direct donations allocated by ALMA. See ALMA Facebook for more info. 2. Fundraisers by community members to specific regions, using trusted networks and contacts in Lebanon to distribute
*****HOW YOU CAN HELP***** This is a fundraiser under option #2 for the Al-Shouf area. The region was previously middle class - meaning it is commonly overlooked. However, it now faces acute medicine shortages. Residents are going from Pharmacy to Pharmacy for prescriptions they need, and even then have no guarantee.
Your donations will be given to our trusted partners the Higher Shouf Pharmacy and the Barouk Infirmary. Medicine is purchased in Australia at a discount rate, and express shipped with other ALMA donations. The pharmacies then distribute donations for free to citizens in need. Last time, we provided: - Paracetamol - Antibiotics - Blood pressure tablets - Diabetes medicines - Medicines for chronic illnesses
We hope you will be able to help in any way. Please reach out with any questions.
*****ABOUT ME***** My name is Fadwa Hassan. I am a nurse and diabetes educator based in Melbourne Australia, where I have lived for 30 years, after migrating from Lebanon in the 1990s. I am also a General Committee member of ALMA, where I've been involved in a range of previous fundraising appeals.
Great job Fadwa