From the town of Al-Bireh in Akkar, 28-year-old Alissar Hallak has stood out through her efforts to ease the burden of Lebanon’s recent displacement crisis. Alissar led the "Risala" initiative ["the message" in English], dedicating its efforts to supporting internally displaced people in shelter centers.
Alissar highlights the importance of solidarity among the people of Akkar, who didn’t hesitate to offer help directly from their homes, whether by donating food supplies or winter blankets, despite the challenging circumstances they face themselves. "This community support was key to the initiative's success," she said.
She commended the significant contributions of Al-Bireh’s municipality and the crisis cell, which provided essential backing for the initiative. She also pointed out the strong collaboration between displaced women and volunteers in various activities, especially food preparation. This teamwork, she explained, shows the power of social unity across different groups.
However, the journey was not without challenges. Alissar menointed the logistical difficulties in organizing donation collection, which relied primarily on the personal cars of volunteers. Moreover, her initiative faced deeply rooted stereotypes about women’s roles in society, but she broke these barriers through the tangible impact of her work.
Mohammad Jaber, a displaced person from southern Lebanon, reflected on the warm reception he received from the people of Akkar, saying: "They treated us as family, not as displaced people," expressing the deep solidarity demonstrated tough times.
In conclusion, Alissar shared a heartfelt message with young men and women, urging them to come together and work to create positive change. She also stressed the importance of breaking free from stereotypes that limit ambitions.