Care by CLES is an initiative launched by CLES and its president Carmen Chahine Debbane in the aftermath of the difficult and challenging times Lebanon has been facing on an economical front.

With the increasing levels of unemployment in the country, families are lacking the basic needs to survive and provide for their children. Care by CLES aims for the reduction of hunger by providing food and hygiene packages to families in need all over Lebanon. Each package includes 5 parcels of food, hygiene products, and kitchenware, that can last up to 6 weeks and more.

“Compassion is the new lifeline.”

“The situation in Lebanon today is missing a ray of hope that we can cling to, but compassion is playing a big role in rebuilding a shattered community and healing broken spirits.
Togetherness brings the citizens of Lebanon together,
And together, we rebuild each other”

Carmen Chahine Debbane

Care By CLES, an initiative by CLES to help the families affected by the economical situation in Lebanon, set up a crisis emergency unit to help quickly the affected families. The crisis emergency unit created a database and developed a needs assessment protocol to help as many people as possible.

With thousands of people displaced and with the influx of injuries, home rehabilitation, food, hygiene supplies, and psychological support are mandatory to help people heal faster as they try to recover from the physical and emotional trauma they have been subjected to.

Latest updates on the response to COVID-19 and the economical crisis

Packages  and vouchers were distributed in:

March 30 – April 1, 2021 Zahle Center
March 29-30, 2021 Saida Center
March 26, 2021 Beirut
March 24-25, 2021 Nabatieh Center
March 22-23, 2021 Zouk Center
March 17-18-19, 2021 Tripoli Center
March 15, 2021 Semkanieh Center
March 3-4-5, 2021 Beirut
November – December, 2020 Beirut
September 2, 2020 Beirut
August 26-27-28, 2020 Beirut
August 10-11-12, 2020 Beirut
August 3, 2020 Badaro Center
July 30, 2020 Badaro Center
July 28-29, 2020 Beirut
July 20-21-22, 2020 Tripoli Center
July 16-17, 2021 Zahle Center
July 15, 2020 Semkanieh Center
July 13-14, 2020 Zouk Center
July 10, 2020 Saida Center
July 6-8-9, 2020 Nabatieh Center
December 2019 – July 2020CLES Centres – Ras Beirut – Souk el Ghared – Batroun – Akkar – Keserouan

Latest updates on the response to COVID-19 and the economical crisis

Packages  and vouchers were distributed in:

March 30 – April 1, 2021 Zahle Center
March 29-30, 2021 Saida Center
March 26, 2021 Beirut
March 24-25, 2021 Nabatieh Center
March 22-23, 2021 Zouk Center
March 17-18-19, 2021 Tripoli Center
March 15, 2021 Semkanieh Center
March 3-4-5 , 2021 Beirut
September – December, 2020 Beirut
August 26-27-28, 2020 Beirut
August 10-11-12, 2020 Beirut
August 3, 2020 Badaro Center
July 30, 2020
 Badaro Center
July 28-29, 2020 Beirut
July 20-21-22, 2020 Tripoli Center
July 16-17, 2020  Zahle Center
July 15, 2020 Semkanieh Center
July 13-14, 2020 Zouk Center
July 10, 2020 Saida Center
July 6-8-9, 2020 Nabatieh Center
July 6, 2020 Keserouan
December 2019 – July 2020CLES Centres – Ras Beirut – Souk el Ghared – Batroun – Akkar – Keserouan

What we do

With the help of CLES’s team and personnel, Care by CLES provides tangible solutions and support to Lebanese families in need, mostly around the communities where CLES centers operate.

Through its eight educational centers, CLES provides packages for the affected families. The centers are present in Beirut, Tripoli, Saida, Zouk, Nabatiyeh, Zahle, and Semkaniyeh.

Care by CLES initiative started originally through supporting the direct families of kids who get their special education at CLES’s centers and has grown to reach the surrounding communities.

With the hope to reach out to more families in need, CLES has joined forces with local, national and international NGOs.

Package Content

March 2021

  • 1 x  Spaghetti  (300g)
  • 1 x  Shell Pasta  (300g)
  • 2 x  White Flour  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Chickpeas (1000g)
  • 3 x  Rice  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Red Lentils  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Lentils  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Beans  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Halva  (454g)
  • 1 x  Apricot Jam  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Olive Oil  (0.75L)
  • 1 x Sunflower Oil  (1.8L)
  • 1 x Powdered Milk  (750g)
  • 2 x Sugar  (1000g)
  • 1 x Salt  (1000g)
  • 2 x Processed Cheese
  • 2 x Thyme  (400g)
  • 2 x Vermicelle  (500g)
  • 1 x Herbal Tea  (200g)
  • 1 x Coarse Bulgur  (1000g)
  • 1 x Fine Bulgur  (1000g)
  • 1 x Biscuit Box  
  • 2 x Tomato Paste  (300g)
  • 2 x Tuna Cans  (340g)
  • 1 x Peas and carrots Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Corn Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Chicken Luncheon  (340g)
  • 1 x Coffee  (200g)
  • 1 x  Laundry Powdered Detergent  (3kg)
  • 1 x  Liquid Hand Soap  (500ml)
  • 1 x  Dishwashing Liquid  (1L)
  • 1 x  All Purpose Cleaner  (4L)
  • 1 x  Shampoo  (4KG)
  • 3 x  Toothbrush
  • 1 x Toothpaste  
  • 1 x  Sponge

New additions

  • 6 x  Tissues box
  • 6 x  Toilet rolls packs
  • 1 x Cooker
  • 1 x Pan
  • 2 x  Wooden spoons

Package Content

March 2021

  • 1 x  Spaghetti  (300g)
  • 1 x  Shell Pasta  (300g)
  • 2 x  White Flour  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Chickpeas (1000g)
  • 3 x  Rice  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Red Lentils  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Lentils  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Beans  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Halva  (454g)
  • 1 x  Apricot Jam  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Olive Oil  (0.75L)
  • 1 x Sunflower Oil  (1.8L)
  • 1 x Powdered Milk  (750g)
  • 2 x Sugar  (1000g)
  • 1 x Salt  (1000g)
  • 2 x Processed Cheese
  • 2 x Thyme  (400g)
  • 2 x Vermicelle  (500g)
  • 1 x  Herbal Tea  (200g)
  • 1 x  Coffee  (200g)
  • 1 x Coarse Bulgur  (1000g)
  • 1 x Fine Bulgur  (1000g)
  • 1 x Biscuit Box  
  • 2 x Tomato Paste  (300g)
  • 2 x Tuna Cans  (340g)
  • 1 x Peas and carrots Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Corn Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Chicken Luncheon  (340g)
  • 1 x  Laundry Powdered Detergent  (3kg)
  • 1 x  Liquid Hand Soap  (500ml)
  • 1 x  Dishwashing Liquid  (1L)
  • 1 x  All Purpose Cleaner  (4L)
  • 1 x  Shampoo  (4KG)
  • 3 x  Toothbrush
  • 1 x Toothpaste  
  • 1 x  Sponge

New additions

  • 6 x  Tissues box
  • 6 x  Toilet rolls pack
  • 1 x  Cooker
  • 1 x  Pan
  • 2 x  Wooden Spoons

This is how Care by CLES works

CBC team manages a database received from its 8 operational centers. The database is updated through the recent inclusion of eligible families given by local and national NGOs.

CBC team manages a database received from its 8 operational centers. The database is updated through the recent inclusion of eligible families given by local and national NGOs.

CLES gathers donations for Care by CLES initiative. All donations are 100% spent on the packages distributed*.

*CLES centers are free of charge to students as the association is self-funded. All the NGO’s operational costs are covered by the Raymond Debbane family foundation [this allows for every dollar donated to Care by CLES to go directly to the cost of foods and transportation to the centers.

CLES gathers donations for Care by CLES initiative. All donations are 100% spent on the packages distributed*.

*CLES centers are free of charge to students as the association is self-funded. All the NGO’s operational costs are covered by the Raymond Debbane family foundation, this allows for every dollar donated to Care by CLES to go directly to the cost of foods and transportation to the centers.

CBC places an order for food and hygiene parcels from local providers. The parcels are packed in reusable storage bags.

CBC places an order for food and hygiene parcels from local providers. The parcels are packed in reusable storage bags.

Care by CLES approves the list of products placed in the parcels. All items are screened for expiry date, quantities, and accuracy of orders placed.

* Most items placed in the parcels are made in Lebanon

Care by CLES approves the list of products placed in the parcels. All items are screened for expiry date, quantities, and accuracy of orders placed.

* Most items placed in the parcels are made in Lebanon

Once the packages are ready, Care by CLES handles the transportation of goods to the eight CLES centers (or to locations assigned by CLES).

Once the packages are ready, Care by CLES handles the transportation of goods to the eight CLES centers (or to locations assigned by CLES).

Care by CLES team members contact the families on the database to receive their parcels and assign pick up dates.

Families come to the centers (or to locations assigned by CLES) to pick up packages.

*No personal information is shared to keep the privacy of the receivers intact.

Care by CLES team members contact the families on the database to receive their parcels and assign pick up dates.

Families come to the centers (or to locations assigned by CLES) to pick up packages.

*No personal information is shared to keep the privacy of the receivers intact.

Each package (5 parcels) weighs around 70 KGs and contains 6 weeks supply (of families of four) of grains, protein, oil, carbs, hygiene products, and kitchenware.

Each package (5 parcels) weighs around 70 KGs and contains 6 weeks supply (of families of four) of grains, protein, oil, carbs, hygiene products, and kitchenware.

Lebanese regions that received the packages

 From December 2019 to April 2021 

60,000
Rations Distributed

32,000
Beneficiaries

Distribution Progress

From December 2019 to March 2020
Ration = 2 Bags
1,015 Rations = 2,030 Bags (66 tons)

From April 2020 to February 2020
Ration =  2 Bags
2,000 Rations = 4,000 Bags (130 Tons)

From June 2020 to July 2020
Ration = 3 Bags
3,000 Rations = 9,000 Bags (195 Tons)

August 2020
2,300 Vouchers

From October 2020 to December 2020
Ration = 4 Bags
5,500 Rations = 22,000 Bags (360 Tons)

From February 2021 to April 2021
Ration = 5 Bags
2,850 Rations = 14,250 Bags (187 Tons)

Operations during the coronavirus pandemic

With the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Lebanon has been on lockdown since the end of February. CBC continues its commitment to provide packages to the underprivileged citizens of Lebanon in these dire times of need.

  • Two team members in each of CLES’s centers ( or locations assigned by CLES) are present at predetermined times for parcels pickup.
  • The members will be wearing protective masks and gloves at all times and will follow up on the sanitization measures.
  • Families are assigned dedicated pickup times to avoid traffic and ensure safe and contactless delivery.

Contributors

Care by CLES is grateful to have the support and endorsement of benefactors from the Lebanese diaspora, international NGOs, and benefactors who spared no effort in supporting the mission of this project.

Care by CLES has joined forces with many local and regional NGOs to extend a helping hand and help more families in need across Lebanon.

To date, CLES has collaborated with:

  • Lebanese Scouts
  • Local associations
  • Local Municipalities
  • Local dispensaries
  • Nursing departments
  • Mayors