HOTLINE - week of July 31, 2006

Going into a third week of violent attacks between Israel and Hezbullah in Lebanon, Church World Service is voicing increasing concern over the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, and the lack of safe passage, needed to deliver humanitarian aid.

"The UN has been asking for opening of humanitarian corridors," says CWS Emergency Response Program Director Donna Derr, "but so far those corridors haven't materialized and transport routes and communication in the damaged Lebanese regions are severely hindered."

"People have fled their homes in various regions that are affected by the military operations in Lebanon and are sleeping in schools, monasteries, and anywhere they can find shelter," said Linda Shaker, International Orthodox Christian Charities program coordinator for Lebanon, based in Beirut.

Derr says, "It's an increasingly critical situation, with bridges destroyed, so many roads impassable, airports and power supplies bombed and inoperable."

"We have initially shipped 5,000 CWS Health Kits, 500 water containers, and a large supply of blankets, in support of current work on the ground by International Orthodox Christian Charities," adds Derr. "IOCC is delivering food, water, bedding, hygiene parcels and medicines."

Derr says CWS is planning a shipment of food and non-food items to the Middle East Council of Churches. The MECC is delivering food, non-food relief items, water and sanitation, and psychosocial attention and working in conjunction with the Action by Churches Together International network.

CWS is particularly concerned about the disproportionate number of children being affected, as civilian casualties continue to flood area hospitals. It is estimated that more than 500,000 people are displaced from their homes, needing shelter, food, safe drinking water, sanitation and medical assistance.

As of July 26, Israel was reporting that 51 Israelis have been killed in Hezbullah rocket attacks across the Lebanon-Israel border or in combat by the militia of Hezbullah, an Islamic political party in Lebanon, with hundreds more Israelis injured and homes and other buildings in Israel destroyed or damaged.

"Even as the crisis continues in Lebanon, the situation in Gaza in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continues to be equally dire," reports Callie Long, Communications Officer with CWS coalition partner Action by Churches Together. Poverty rates in the area now stand at 75 percent. In addition, since June 28, more than 150 Palestinians have been killed and more than 540 injured by Israeli incursions, shelling, and airstrikes.

In March CWS issued an appeal for emergency medical assistance to Palestinian civilians, the work of the Lutheran World Federation-Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, and MECC assistance to civilians in the West Bank/Gaza.

In a statement earlier this month, CWS called upon all parties in the Middle East to end the current hostilities, to develop non-violent strategies for engagement, and to work toward a just and sustainable settlement of the issues that plague the region.

CWS is seeking $1 million in response to the emergency. Contributions to support humanitarian work in Lebanon may be made online, or by calling (800) 297-1516.

A year and a half after a massive tsunami hit Indonesia's coast, residents of a small village in Aceh province have come home.

Earlier this month in Lampu Kawat, 124 families moved into their new homes. The houses were built by Church World Service, with help from many of the new homeowners.

"On behalf of Lampu Kawat residents, we would like to express our highest gratitude for CWS, which has built our houses," says Nurdin, a representative of the village's residents. "We lived in emergency tents and barracks for eight months."

"Before CWS built our houses, we regularly received aid, especially food, blankets and medicine, from CWS after the disaster," says Nurdin. "Our wooden houses were destroyed by the tsunami, but now, they are rebuilt and we can live in them. Thanks again, CWS," adds Nurdin.

As a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of one of the finished houses, a Muslim preacher sprinkled water and rice on it, an Acehnese tradition which blesses the house and its occupants and calls for it to be stronger and a pleasant place to live.

Make a donation to support ongoing CWS recovery work in Indonesia.

As CWS recovery efforts continue in quake-affected areas of northern Pakistan, it is also responding to recent floods caused by heavy rains in Tehsil Balakot, Mansehra district. Many homes, roads, and bridges have been washed away, and some 250 families have evacuated to safer ground. CWS and partner Norwegian Church Aid are assessing needs and providing plastic sheeting, blankets, and tents. Food packages will also be provided to the affected families.

The CWS quake rehabilitation and recovery program in northern Pakistan continues, and includes construction training centers, livelihood programs for widows, an animal resource network, and establishing veterinary centers.

For more on the CWS response to the South Asia quake in northern Pakistan and how you can help, visit CWS Response to the South Asia Earthquake.

Your prayers and support - and your participation in CROP WALKS and the TOOLS & BLANKETS Program - make possible these and other life sustaining programs. For information on how to get involved, please call your Church World Service/CROP Regional Office toll-free at 1-888-CWS-CROP, that's 1-888-297-2767.

For information about free loan videos, please call 1-800-297-1516, ext. 338, or e-mail us at: videos@churchworldservice.org.

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