Palestinian camps in Lebanon are in the midst of an ongoing humanitarian crisis. With recent cuts in aid from UNRWA coinciding with a massive influx of Syrian refugees into the camps, social problems like hunger are becoming more pervasive.

Many families in Shatila and elsewhere are forced to make devastating decisions on a daily basis, like choosing whether to buy medicine or food.

Such conditions are inhumane and CYC, for its part, is attempting to do as much as it can to improve them.

On Wednesday, CYC in cooperation with the Al-Amal Institute for the Disabled and the “Sweater and Wheat” Relief Program, procured and distributed packages of food and home-necessities to about 200 Syrian and Palestinian families in Shatila. Both staff members and youth volunteers helped out in the process. The items included staples such as burghol, chickpeas, beans, homos, wheat, lentils, as well as sweaters and soap.

Such efforts, which help meet the demands of suffering families, are important but cannot exist in isolation. Other organizations are, indeed, pitching in, like CYC, but more must be done across the board in order to address this deeply troubling situation.

Around 150 children and youth from the Shatila Camp and around 35 from the Nahr el-Bared Camp, sporting matching t-shirts provided with generous support from UNICEF and the Permanent Peace Movement, filed onto buses chartered by CYC early on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Before long, they arrived at the Biel district of Beirut, where the spent a joyful day partaking in various activities surrounding the Beirut Marathon.

In addition to attending the festivities surrounding the event, many of these young Palestinian and Syrian refugees took part in a five kilometer race, held in conjunction with the longer race.

It was a happy occasion, with kids and CYC facilitators running hand-in-hand, while waving the Palestinian flag as well as a flag bearing CYC’s logo.

As the children and youth crossed the finish-line they were greeted with cheers and applause by bystanders and presented with new backpacks as well as medals by the event’s coordinators.

The Marathon’s motto was “Run for Lebanon,” and it was emphasized throughout the day that the event was about  promoting peace for all. This message certainly resonated with these youngsters.

It was a day of fun and pride and its memories will surely remain with all who participated.