A year after the terrible event, Lebanon commemorates the explosions that tore through the port of Beirut, devastating the city and the country. More than 200 people died in the explosions and hundreds of thousands of others lost their homes and livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of those affected by the blasts is Manale Chahine. Her husband ran a small coffee kiosk in Nabaa, east of Beirut. However, with the further deterioration of the economy after the explosions, he was forced to close his business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now the Chahines, their three children and Mr. Chahine\u2019s sick mother live in a modest place they rent in a poor neighborhood in Nabaa. Mrs. Chahine contributed to the family income for a while by cleaning apartments. However, rheumatoid arthritis soon set in and she became unable to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chahines and others are living day to day as recipients of food packages that meet their basic needs, along with medical and psycho-social support through a local dispensary, funded by CNEWA and donor partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can make different dishes and bring food to the table,\u201d said Mrs. Chahine. \u201cA real burden is off my shoulders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the family has not been able to pay rent for seven months and Mrs. Chahine worries their landlord will run out of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meet Mrs. Chahine and her family in the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n