Syrian refugees make up a quarter of Lebanon's population, the country's fragile systems are stretched and tensions are rising. Charities and NGOs are battling to get 70,000 children into schools, and families living in flimsy tents face another harsh challenge – the winter snows are most challenge for these refugees, with regard to the diseases that can affect them during this season.

The main goal from this workshop, which was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, was to train staff and social workers who are dealing with the Syrian refugees directly as well as with poor Lebanese people on how to distribute the awareness for them in order to protect them self from various diseases of which some of them could be very harmful for the kids and old persons in particular.

Winter is the season in which the infectious diseases spread due to climatic conditions and cold that happen usually during this season. There are a lot of diseases that spread during winter and some of these diseases could turn into epidemic. Most of the Syrian refugees now in Lebanon are worried about the snow, the room becomes like a refrigerator in the winter, the water floods like a lake all around and the wind is so cold. One of the hallmarks of winter is an increase in the incidence of respiratory tract infections. Most of the diseases are viral, but some are bacterial - primarily complications of viral infections. These diseases affect all age groups; however babies and senior citizens are especially vulnerable.

The participants were provided with information about prevention methods like vaccinations (against the flu) or non-medication related measures (maintaining hygiene and others). They were introduced to the health risks faced by refugees for example colds, sore throat, asthma, polio and measles as well as tuberculosis and hepatitis A, and they were provided with general guidelines and instructions on how to prevent and deal with each kind of diseases.

Furthermore the workshops enabled the participants to organize their own awareness campaign in their area in order to protect poor Lebanese families and Syrian refugees from the danger diseases.

The workshop took place in Zahleh in the Bekaa. The Bekaa region is a very cold region in the winter. Health workers from the Social Developments Centers (SDCs) and NGOs from the region and some key Manager from the Ministry of Social Affairs took part.