The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Lebanon, a country already grappling with the Syrian refugee crisis, precarious living conditions for refugees, a strained political environment, an unstable economy, and a weakened healthcare system. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in humanitarian crises, mediating between governments and vulnerable populations. Lebanon has a large and diverse NGO sector, with a long history of involvement in social and humanitarian work. However, NGOs face challenges such as resource limitations, poor governance, and a need for systematic approaches to needs assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges, impacting NGOs' ability to operate effectively, secure funding, and provide services to refugees and host communities. Existing research primarily focuses on organizations in the US, leaving a gap in understanding the experiences of NGOs in other contexts, especially those dealing with the combined challenges of a pandemic and a prolonged refugee crisis. This study aims to address this gap by investigating how COVID-19 affected the activities of Lebanese NGOs working with Syrian refugees and identifying effective resource management practices during crises. The study is guided by Resource Dependency Theory (RDT), which emphasizes the crucial role of resource acquisition for organizational survival, especially in challenging environments.

The literature review examines the existing research on the impact of COVID-19 on NGOs globally, highlighting the challenges faced by organizations in various countries. It explores the effects of the pandemic on NGOs' financial resources, human resources, and service delivery capabilities. The review also delves into the strategies adopted by NGOs to adapt to the crisis, including the use of technology, new service delivery models, and diversification of funding sources. Studies cited in the paper include those on the challenges of managing remote work, employee stress, and maintaining organizational morale during a pandemic. The existing literature also touches upon the role of philanthropic foundations in supporting NGOs during the crisis. The authors highlight the limitations of existing research, specifically the lack of studies focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on NGOs in Lebanon, particularly in the context of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis.

This study employed an inductive qualitative methodology using a multi-case study approach. Two distinct sampling strategies were used: purposive sampling, focusing on NGO representatives with relevant expertise, and snowball sampling to broaden the participant pool. A total of 40 NGOs (12 international, 28 local) were included, representing various service areas such as emergency relief, disability support, youth development, education, and women's empowerment. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, conducted via telephone and in-person, with a total of 40 NGO representatives. Thematic analysis, facilitated by NVivo 12 software, was used to analyze the interview transcripts. The study ensured ethical approval and informed consent from participants.

The thematic analysis yielded three key themes: (1) The influence of the pandemic on NGO activities; (2) Effective strategies for supporting Syrian refugees and the host community; and (3) Evaluation of NGOs' achievements and failures in service provision. The first theme highlighted the significant impact of COVID-19 on NGOs' financial and human resources, leading to service disruptions and difficulties in reaching beneficiaries. Fund shortages were reported, along with challenges related to employee safety, reduced staff capacity, and logistical hurdles in service delivery. The second theme focused on strategies implemented by NGOs to address these challenges, including improved communication with stakeholders (staff, refugees, government officials, and donors), program reorientation based on needs assessments, increased use of technology for service delivery and communication, and initiatives to motivate and support employees. The third theme analyzed the achievements and failures of NGOs in responding to the crisis. While NGOs demonstrated innovation and agility in adapting to the pandemic, the response was not without shortcomings. Delays in responding to the increased needs were attributed to factors such as insufficient time for thorough context analysis, risk assessment, lack of information, weak Lebanese infrastructure, limited resources, and late governmental decisions.

The findings suggest that COVID-19 acted as an exogenous shock, impacting NGOs' resource base and operational capabilities, consistent with Resource Dependence Theory. The study supports the need for a nuanced understanding of how exogenous shocks affect NGOs, particularly those operating in fragile contexts with pre-existing vulnerabilities. The effective strategies employed by NGOs, such as improved communication and the adoption of technology, highlight the importance of proactive adaptation in crisis response. The study emphasizes that while NGOs demonstrated resilience and adaptability, systemic challenges such as resource limitations and weak infrastructure continue to hinder their effectiveness. The research contributes to the existing literature by offering insights into the specific challenges and effective practices of Lebanese NGOs in a context of both a pandemic and a protracted refugee crisis.

This study reveals the significant impact of COVID-19 on Lebanese NGOs supporting Syrian refugees. While NGOs adapted and implemented effective strategies, systemic challenges and resource constraints limited their response. Future research should explore the role of government and donors in supporting NGOs during crises, adopt a mixed methodology with a larger sample size, and investigate the long-term impacts of the pandemic on NGOs and the communities they serve. The findings provide valuable practical implications for NGOs globally, highlighting the need for digitization, strategic performance measurement, community empowerment, improved coordination mechanisms, robust mitigation plans, and sustained support for organizational sustainability.

The study's limitations include the focus on Lebanese NGOs, potentially limiting generalizability to other contexts. The sample size, while deemed acceptable based on previous research, could be expanded in future studies. The reliance on a single data collection method (interviews) could also be addressed by incorporating other methods like focus groups or observations. Additionally, the research focuses on the NGO perspective and could benefit from incorporating the perspectives of government officials, donors, and beneficiaries.