Behind every donation there is someone wanting to help, and behind every request there is someone going through loss and uncertainty. Wled El Balad was founded in 2024 with the belief that bringing these people together would create a stronger response than individual efforts alone.

Founded by five young volunteers, Wled El Balad started their initiative with the hope that combining many small contributions could make a difference. Ghina Hammoud and Jad Hachem, two of the founders of Wled El Balad, never imagined that these efforts would evolve into a nationwide network supporting thousands of displaced families.

Growing beyond relief

Five young volunteers founded Wled El Balad during the 2024 war to respond to the immediate needs of displaced families. At first, like many other initiatives born to support displaced communities, their work revolved around distributing essentials, such as food, blankets, mattresses, and hygiene kits.

However, when the fighting subsided, the organization started helping displaced communities rebuild a somewhat stable life: they supported them with school tuition, medical expenses, and connected them with people with employment opportunities in hopes of regaining a stable source of income.

“The goal wasn’t just to keep people alive,” Ghina explains, “it was to help them leave survival mode.”

During that period, Wled El Balad also broadened their humanitarian response to anyone in need, providing them with financial, material, and medical support.

Unfortunately, this transition was cut short in 2026, when the situation escalated again, forcing them to switch back to emergency relief help instead.

Building a network 

Starting off as a small group of five people, Wled El Balad’s reach now extends far beyond its core team. Rather than attempting to operate everywhere themselves, they built a network of volunteers and trusted contacts in Lebanon, ranging from the South to North Lebanon. The volunteers in each area regularly report which shelters need support, which families have relocated, and what supplies are needed.

However, the team has adopted a tracking system using detailed spreadsheets tracking families’ locations, previous distributions, medical needs, and follow-up requirements. Before sending aid, the team verifies requests on the ground, recognizing that humanitarian resources are limited, and then proceeding with the distribution of those resources based on priority and urgency.

Communal Help

One of the most remarkable parts of Wled El Balad is the independence of the people from the original founders. Their WhatsApp community, now including around 400 members, has become a platform where people help one another directly.

Someone seeking temporary housing posts a request, and another member provides an available apartment. A family looking for a stroller may find another family willing to donate one.

“We’re not only the mediators,” Jad explains, “People help each other, and are happy to do so.”

The network has transformed individual acts of generosity into a collective support system operated by the people, for the people.

Reaching the overlooked

Most of Lebanon’s humanitarian response concentrates on supporting collective shelters, while unfortunately overlooking displaced families staying in rented apartments or temporarily donated homes.

Wled El Balad’s priority was to provide for these overlooked people. A prime example is a hotel in Raouche whose owner prepared around 1,500 meals daily to donate to displaced people staying in the area.

When Ghina, Jad, and the other members found out, they asked for a list of the families receiving meals and proceeded to contact them to assess their unmet needs and provide them with items such as kitchen supplies, hygiene kits, cleaning products, water, cooking gas, blankets, mattresses, and even chronic medications issued with the help of medical professionals.

Preserving Dignity 

With crises as big as the 2026 war, humanitarian aid can be overwhelming. Many distance themselves from the people being helped, often measuring them through numbers: families reached, meals distributed.

The members of Wled El Balad are aware of this. “When we visit families,” Jad says, “we try to make conversation as humane as possible.” Their goal is not only to assess needs themselves, but to make families comfortable enough to ask for help without affecting their dignity. And sometimes “that means sitting and listening. Listening… Keeping them company. It makes them so grateful,” Ghina explains.

How To Help 

Wled El Balad welcomes both monetary and in-kind donations to help them continue supporting families and communities in need across Lebanon. Monetary donations can be made through WHISH, TapTap, Western Union, or OMT using their donation number: +961 70 881 155.

For more information about donating, volunteering, or supporting their work, you can reach out through their Instagram: @web.lebanon

They also accept a wide range of in-kind donations, including clean and organized clothing in good condition, hygiene and cleaning products, medical equipment, and other essential items. Every contribution, regardless of its size, helps them meet immediate needs and extend their support to more people across Lebanon.

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