My experience at the reception center to obtain the Red Humanitarian Aid Card provided by the United Nations to refugees in Lebanon left a profound and tangible impact on my perspective of life and behaviors. The feeling of disrespect and negligence that I encountered in a place dedicated to meeting the humanitarian needs of those facing the most challenging circumstances cannot be overlooked. This experience was not merely a passing visit; it was an educational and thought-provoking journey that grants me an opportunity to reconsider the concepts of public service and the necessity of adhering to professionalism and respect when providing services to others.
What also deeply impacted me was the experience of witnessing the stark reality of disrespect for time, the depletion of funding, and the shortcomings in providing adequate support to individuals relying on these services to improve their complex living conditions, including Syrian refugees. Moments of silence and resignation in the face of the scene where an employee was reclining in her chair with her computer in front of her, while I leaned forward to submit my file number code, were expressive instances of the lack of commitment and respect.
On August 16, 2023, precisely at 10:30 AM, I found myself within a basketball court located in the area of Bourj Hammoud, for the purpose of receiving the Red Humanitarian Assistance Card. Upon entering the center and having received my queue number, I proceeded towards the reception desk where two ladies representing the "SHEILD" NGO, were stationed. A black-haired lady with a high level of decency and commitment. Conversely, her blonde-haired colleague sat with her back taut against the chair, fully reclined, and in front of her, a laptop. When I approached to hand her the code bearing my file number, I had to lean forward over the desk and extend my hand over the laptop. Meanwhile, she merely extended her hand, without making any effort – maintaining her reclined position, her back adhering to the chair.
After that, while I was in the process of receiving the Red Humanitarian Assistance Card, I had a momentary feeling that I had entered a restaurant, and the employees there were donating to us with solemn faces, rather than receiving their salaries under the pretext of helping us. In an unfamiliar scene, I saw half of the employees working under the names of two NGOs, "Shield" and "Mukhzomi Foundation", confidently enjoying their meals and juice. Furthermore, I noticed three women sitting at a side table near the emblem of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Lebanon, calmly exchanging conversation and sipping coffee, while one woman rested her leg on the other's leg.
Those scenes are not devoid of shortcomings in adhering to professional conduct and lacking in respect towards individuals who come to obtain humanitarian services. Additionally, I observed that some employees content themselves with browsing their mobile phones instead of providing suitable support and service - as if they had no responsibilities.
I believe that this experience sheds light on the importance of enhancing professional culture and respect in work environments and public services. For this reason, it is essential to provide professional work environments that respect and value individuals relying on such humanitarian services, as the change in culture and behavior can have a positive impact on everyone.