On this International Migrants Day, we stand in awe and extend our solidarity to the migrant community leaders in Lebanon, whose unwavering commitment to organising and resistance has been a driving force in the workers' struggle during one of the most challenging and unjust periods in our region's history. Amid the displacement of many communities across Lebanon due to the Israeli war, migrant communities have endured systemic injustice, been rendered destitute, left homeless, and stripped of their livelihoods and access to essential rights and resources. Yet, time and again, migrant community leaders have been, and continue to be, at the forefront—rising with remarkable strength to lead mutual aid efforts and build collective power in support of their communities.
Their unwavering commitment to community care and justice has driven life-saving efforts—distributing food and medical supplies, opening their homes, securing safe and dignified housing, providing emotional support, and advocating for their communities. These leaders have done so despite structural barriers, such as institutional neglect, exploitative policies, and the denial of critical resources by international donors and NGOs. These same systems perpetuate the marginalisation and precarity of migrant workers, leaving communities to bear the weight of systemic failures.
Today, we honour the radical work of these powerful women and commit to dismantling the systems that perpetuate their struggles. We pledge to amplify their voices, challenge the policies that hinder their autonomy and stand with them in building a future rooted in solidarity, community and the recognition of their power and contributions to the workers movement globally.
#MigrantsDay #IMD2024 #InternationalMigrantsDay #AbolishKafala #MigrantWorkers #KafalaSystem #Lebanon #Beirut #MigrantDomesticWorkers #ReclaimOurRights #NotYourProperty #Community #EveryStep #LabourMigration
Scholar is the committed secretary of the Voice of Nigeria Women Association in Lebanon (VONWAIL), a community group that has been a lifeline for Nigerian migrants during times of crisis. During the Lebanon war, Scholar played a crucial role in organising food relief and facilitating community support sessions, ensuring that essential resources reached those in need. Additionally, she spearheaded efforts to procure and distribute period products to women in her community, addressing a critical but often overlooked need. Scholar’s meticulous organisation and dedication to her community have made her an invaluable leader, demonstrating the power of care and resourcefulness in challenging times.
Thank you Scholar!
Favour is the dynamic co-founder of the Voice of Nigeria Women Association in Lebanon (VONWAIL), a community group that has been a pillar of strength for Nigerian migrants during challenging times. Under her leadership, VONWAIL has been instrumental in providing food relief and organising community support sessions during the Lebanon war, ensuring that vulnerable members of the Nigerian community had access to essential resources and emotional support. Favour’s dedication to fostering solidarity and resilience has made her a respected figure, not just within the Nigerian community but among the wider migrant population in Lebanon. Her leadership embodies compassion, advocacy, and the power of collective action.
Thank you Favour!
May is the co-founder and COO of Tres Marias. She has built Tres Marias together with her fellow team members to become the organisation that it is today. May is known for her great sense of humor and her tireless work, both alongside and in support of her fellow community members.
Throughout the war, May and the Tres Marias team have distributed cooked meals to shelters hosting migrant workers as well as to communities stranded on the streets in Beirut. Their emergency response also included supporting self-organised migrant shelters with dry-food items and hygiene products. Without her incredible work, many migrant workers would have been left abandoned throughout this time of crisis.
Thank you May!
Susan, financial secretary of the Voice of Nigeria Women Association in Lebanon (VONWAIL), has been a driving force behind the community group’s efforts to support Nigerian migrants during the Lebanon war. She played a key role in the food relief project, starting by cooking warm meals from her own home to provide immediate aid to those in need. As the crisis deepened, Susan expanded her efforts by collaborating with a migrant kitchen to scale up food production and distribute food boxes to displaced community members. Her dedication and resourcefulness have been vital in ensuring that no one in her community goes hungry during these challenging times.
Thank you Susan!
Mercy is a compassionate Kenyan community leader and the founder of Women of Purpose, a migrant community group in Lebanon dedicated to empowering and supporting migrant women. During the Lebanon war, Mercy opened her own home to provide shelter for displaced Kenyan women from South Lebanon and Dahiyeh, offering them a safe haven in a time of crisis. Beyond this, she collaborated with a migrant kitchen to cook and distribute warm meals to displaced migrant workers, ensuring they had access to nourishment and care. Mercy’s selflessness and unwavering commitment to her community exemplify the true spirit of leadership and solidarity.
Thank you Mercy!
Mariam is a dedicated member of the Domestic Workers Advocacy Network (DoWAN) in Lebanon, where she has been a passionate advocate for the rights and well-being of migrant domestic workers.
Hailing from Sierra Leone, Mariam has channeled her own experiences under the Kafala system into a relentless drive to support her community. Through her work with DoWAN, she has played a pivotal role in organising humanitarian relief efforts, providing legal and emotional support, and amplifying the voices of migrant workers in Lebanon. Mariam's unwavering commitment to justice and equality has made her a respected leader and a beacon of hope for many.
Thank you Mariam!
Kusum is the devoted President of Rathnadeepa, a Sri Lankan community group in Lebanon, known for her unwavering commitment to supporting migrant workers during times of crisis. Throughout the Lebanon war, Kusum has dedicated herself to volunteering at a migrant shelter hosted by a church, where she provided vital support and cooked regular warm meals for displaced migrants. In addition, she has been instrumental in organising in-kind donations, including period products, which she distributed to migrant women in need. Kusum’s selflessness and tireless efforts have made her a beacon of hope and care for her community during challenging times.
Thank you Kusum!
Marucha is a dedicated Kenyan community leader and the founder of The Proud African Mama, a migrant community group in Lebanon committed to protecting and empowering African migrant workers. During the Lebanon war, Marucha displayed extraordinary bravery by rescuing abandoned Kenyan migrant workers stranded in active war zones in the Bekaa Valley. With the support of a partner organisation, she distributed hygiene kits and helped establish an emergency shelter for displaced Kenyans. Marucha also played an important role in facilitating the repatriation of Kenyan migrant workers, organising their flights and personally accompanying them to the airport. Her tireless efforts and fearless advocacy have been a lifeline for her community in their most desperate moments.
Thank you Marucha!
Theresa, a dedicated organiser of the Voice of Nigeria Women Association in Lebanon (VONWAIL), has been an active contributor to the group’s food relief efforts during the Lebanon war. She worked closely with the team to prepare and distribute food boxes to displaced community members, ensuring that vital support reached those most affected by the crisis. Initially, Theresa supported cooking efforts carried out from homes, and later, she collaborated with a migrant kitchen to scale up food relief operations. Her hard work and commitment have been instrumental in providing sustenance and hope to her community during these trying times.
Thank you Theresa!
Myra, co-founder and CEO of Tres Marias, has worked tirelessly over the past five years to support and assist her fellow Filipino migrant workers as well as other migrant communities in need. Her dedication and work is motivated by her love for community, cultural exchange, and celebrations through food and dance. Throughout the war, Myra and the Tres Marias team have distributed cooked meals to shelters hosting migrant workers as well as to communities stranded on the streets in Beirut. Their emergency response also included supporting self-organised migrant shelters with dry-food items and hygiene products. Without her incredible work, many migrant workers would have been left abandoned throughout this time of crisis.
Thank you Myra!
Viany De Marceau is the visionary founder of REMAN, a grassroots organisation in Lebanon dedicated to empowering migrant communities through advocacy, support, and community-building initiatives. Originally from Cameroon, Viany established REMAN to address the urgent needs of francophone African migrant workers, particularly women, who face exploitation and systemic challenges under the Kafala system. Under her leadership, REMAN has become a vital resource for providing humanitarian aid, legal assistance, and mental health support to those most vulnerable. Viany’s efforts to promote dignity, equity, and justice have cemented her role as a transformative leader and a source of inspiration within the migrant community.
Thank you Viany!