The nationwide demonstrations in Lebanon in fall 2019 exacerbated already very difficult economic circumstances that had been affecting everyone in the country – including the families of current and prospective AUB students and patients seeking care at our medical center. Many people lost their jobs, were paid only a portion of their salary, and/or were not paid at all. Banks imposed restrictions on how much money depositors could withdraw, or transfer abroad, from their accounts. They also cancelled some loan agreements, including loans that had been extended to current AUB students.
AUB launched a worldwide Solidarity Appeal on November 27, 2019 to raise money for a Student Solidarity Fund to assist current AUB students, who were unable to pay their tuition fees, and a Patient Solidarity Fund to benefit needy patients seeking care at the AUB Medical Center.
The money that we raised – $9.9 million – benefited students like AbdulRazzak, Cathalina, and Faten. You can find out more about them and some of the other students who received support in 2020 here.
Money contributed to the Solidarity Appeal also provided critical funding for hundreds of needy patients. You can read some of their stories here.