Migration Services and Development

MSD, Migration Services and Development, a local NGO, established in Lebanon in 2014 registered at the ministry of interior with number 2572, legally represented by Wissam Tannous the country director.
MSD’s motto—“a home away from home”— is based on the organization’s belief in the dignity of all humans who have left their country in search of a better life. A home is more than a physical shelter. It is a place to feel safe, a place to be protected, and a place from which grow and build a better life for yourself and your family. These are the main dreams of both migrants and refugees. Even though they have left their country, they still are in search of a home.

Migration Services and Development answers the call of migrants and refugees, with technical services and a caring staff. Each of its staff works diligently to ensure that no matter where people go, or how they got there, they always have a home.

Migration Services for Development has been founded by a core group of technical specialists in migration and refugees, who have been leaders in this field. Each has played a significant role in the field, not only in Lebanon, but throughout the Middle East and in countries of origin including:
• Technical expertise, with significant expertise in service implementation, legal frameworks, and international instruments on migration and refugees
• Program management, in accordance with international standards of program and financial management
• Relationships with the Lebanese authorities, networks, donors, and other NGOs working in the field.
• Hands-on experience, of actual program implementation in Lebanon

MSD activities are guided by the four humanitarian principles recommended by OCHA that are:
1. Humanity
2. Neutrality
3. Impartiality
4. Independence
These principles are central to establishing and maintaining access to affected people. Promoting and ensuring compliance with the principles are essential elements of effective humanitarian intervention in Lebanon but also on a regional level.

Humanity Neutrality Impartiality Independence
Human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found. The purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings. Humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Humanitarian action must be carried out on the basis of need alone, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress and making no distinctions on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class or political opinions Humanitarian action must be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives that any actor may hold with regard to areas where humanitarian action is being implemented.

MSD provides protection to migrant workers and refugees in distress including:
• Legal services,
• Psycho-social services to overcome the trauma and fear they have experienced,
• Awareness about the rights and responsibilities,
• Case management including social counseling and follow-up,
• Advocacy and lobbying.

MSD builds the capacity of local partners, the primary aim of this is to help local non-governmental organization (NGO) achieve the greatest possible program impact through the best organizational practice.
MSD provides training in its field of expertise and includes:
• Accountability
• vulnerability assessments
• humanitarian principles
• gender sensitive social work methodology
• organizational and financial management
• the concepts or principles of empowerment, participation and social inclusion
• M&E including reporting

Following Port Beirut blast, MSD had a partnership with Dorcas/Tabitha, an INGO, for the implementation of “Lebanon Joint Response – LJR” which is a joint project for the support of people in areas suffered from the explosion. The project consists on preparing hot meals and legal support.