Empathy in Action: How Atiqur Rahman’s Food Distribution Initiatives are Changing Lives in Lebanon

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves putting oneself in someone else’s shoes, feeling what they feel, and taking action to alleviate their suffering. Atiqur Rahman, Head of Development at Global Relief Trust (GRT), embodies this concept through his food distribution initiatives in Lebanon.

Lebanon has been facing a severe economic crisis exacerbated by political instability and the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. The country has seen a significant increase in poverty and hunger rates, with around half of its population living below the poverty line. This dire situation prompted Atiqur Rahman to take action and use his empathy towards those affected.

Atiqur Rahman joined GRT as Head of Development in 2019 and immediately recognized the need for urgent aid in Lebanon. He witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by families who were unable to afford basic necessities like food due to soaring prices and scarcity caused by inflation.

Driven by compassion, Atiqur initiated several food distribution projects targeting vulnerable communities across Lebanon. These projects aim not only to provide immediate relief but also sustainable solutions that will positively impact people’s lives long-term.

One such initiative is “Food for All,” which provides monthly food parcels containing essential items like rice, pasta, lentils, oil, canned goods, spices, sugar, flour, tea bags among others. Through partnerships with local suppliers and volunteers on-ground who identify needy families based on strict criteria set by GRT’s team members like Atiqur Rahman himself; these parcels are tailored according to family size ensuring an adequate supply that can last for up to three weeks per month.

Moreover,”Feed A Family” project focuses specifically on impoverished families headed solely by women- widows or single mothers- struggling alone without any social support network or financial assistance from menfolk who have migrated abroad seeking employment opportunities leaving them behind destitute without means of survival.Atiqur realized how important it was not just to provide food but also to support these women in a way that empowers them and makes them self-reliant. Hence, this project not only provides monthly food parcels but also funds vocational training courses for women, equipping them with skills to earn an income and break the cycle of poverty.

Atiqur Rahman’s empathy extends beyond just distributing food; he also recognizes the importance of mental health in times of crisis. He spearheaded GRT’s “Hope For All” program, which provides psychological support for vulnerable individuals affected by war, displacement, and economic hardship.