WHAT IS PARD?
The Popular Aid for Relief and Development (PARD) is an independent grassroots organization working on gender equality and women’s empowerment, youth empowerment, environmental health and relief for people in distress among Palestinian and Lebanese communities and refugees from Syria. It was founded in 1985 under the name of “The Relief Agency” by a group of volunteers. It received official recognition under the name of Popular Aid for Relief and Development through notification number 44/AD in 23/4/1990.
MAIN CHALLENGES
The past few years have been characterized by several challenges that have impacted both the Lebanese people and the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Among these challenges were the different political stances toward the crisis in Syria and the hosting of thousands of refugees from Syria in Lebanon. As a result, the existence of the refugees from Syria negatively affected the shelter situation, the labor market, the WASH and health facilities, and the general security situation.
RECENT CHALLENGES
An additional challenge is the current crisis facing Lebanon. Thousands come together in unprecedented nationwide demonstrations against the old and new governments. Lebanon’s financial situation is deteriorating, the local currency is unstable, prices of commodities including food and medicines have risen, workshops and factories have closed raising the unemployment rates, education is very often suspended and road blockages obstruct the movement of the people.
Not to mention the international challenge which is translated even more difficultly in Lebanon which is Covid-19 pandemic, it is icing on the cake and made everything far worse
Ritta Hamdan
Director
PARD believes that in addition to providing relief and support to the Palestinian refugees at times of disaster, there is a great need to provide environmental, health and social services to the marginalized and vulnerable groups in the Palestinian camps and gatherings in Lebanon at times of stability as well. These services are extremely crucial to the refugees’ wellbeing and substantially contribute to building their resilience and ability to participate meaningfully in their communities.
Geographical distribution
PARD 2020 - 2021 STRATEGY
PARD adopted a participatory approach to develop its new strategy for 2019-2021 by adhering itself to the Millennium Development Goals which includes the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by supporting small local projects
Education
Achieving universal primary education by providing remedial lessons to students, combat illiteracy and vocational trainings
Health
Promote gender equality and empowerment of women through the formation of women's committees, Improve maternal health through the mother and child health program, Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases through health education for prevention
Environment
environmental sustainability by providing environmental health programs
Networking
and Developing a global partnership for development: through networking with local and international NGOs and UN agencies.
WHO ARE WE?
The Popular Aid for Relief and Development is a nonprofit, grass-roots, rights based NGO that aims to promote gender justice and the right of marginalized and vulnerable groups, especially in the Palestinian gatherings, to access social, health and environmental services
Principles and values
PARD believes that women should enjoy equal political, civil and social rights under equal circumstances
Beneficiaries
PARD aim that Refugees in Lebanon enjoy civil and social rights and gender justice
Mission & Vision
PARD believes that women should enjoy equal political, civil and social rights under equal circumstances