End of Project Evaluation of the Dubai Cares-Funded Humanitarian Response Project in Lebanon

An independent evaluation by Triangle assessed Save the Children’s $9.5M multisector response in Lebanon, implemented with local partners (Mouvement Social, Nabad, and ISWA) to support populations displaced by conflict and economic crisis. The project demonstrated high operational resilience, with 95% of caregivers receiving uninterrupted support across basic needs, education, child protection/MHPSS, WASH, and shelter. Immediate results were strong, plausibly improving household well-being, learning continuity, and psychosocial safety for affected children thanks to donor flexibility and effective local partnerships.

However, the program faced limitations in addressing complex, long-term, or specialized needs, including healthcare, disability accommodations, and livelihood transitions. Operational challenges included high drop-off rates along referral pathways, administrative delays matching the school calendar, and limited partner involvement in initial project design. To improve future programming, the evaluation recommends conducting upfront local needs assessments, co-designing initiatives with local partners, tracking full referral completion, and planning post-project exit strategies from inception.