Documentary | Lebanon’s First Responders: Civil Society in Times of Crisis

One year after the 2024 Israeli war on Lebanon, the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut, in partnership with the CAMEALEON Consortium at the Norwegian Refugee Council, examines how civil society organizations became the backbone of the emergency response during displacement and crisis. This documentary highlights the findings of the collaborative project exploring how local actors mobilized in the first critical hours of the war, adapted under pressure, and filled major gaps in preparedness and coordination systems. From grassroots initiatives and community kitchens to questions of vulnerability, funding, and anticipatory governance, the research sheds light on the essential role of civil society in times of compounded crisis, and the urgent need for sustainable, inclusive emergency response frameworks in Lebanon. Watch the documentary to learn more about the lessons, challenges, and recommendations emerging from this collaborative effort.