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CWS Appeal: Lebanon Crisis
A family seeking refuge from the violence.
Photo: ACT
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The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon remains critical after two weeks of bombing, report several Church World Service partners in the region.
The most pressing concern is the lack of safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid to the affected population as communication and transport routes between the different Lebanese regions are hindered, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) reports. UN agencies have been advocating for the opening of humanitarian corridors but those have not yet materialized.
Areas of Lebanon, particularly in the south, have been devastated, reports International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), another CWS partner.
Bridges have been destroyed and many roads are impassable. Airports and power supplies have been bombarded. Civilian casualties have inundated hospitals; with children being disproportionately affected. Of particular concern to the humanitarian community are those displaced from their homes, estimated by the Lebanese government and United Nations to exceed 500,000 persons, who are in need of shelter, food, safe drinking water, sanitation, and medical assistance. Approximately 140,000 of these have taken refuge in Syria and other neighboring countries.
"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, IOCC Program Coordinator for Lebanon based in Beirut.
MECC reports that the lack of food and medical supplies is starting to be felt within Lebanon and that prices have increased significantly. Internally displaced families are now located in schools, public parks and even on street sidewalks. Lebanese civilians residing in so-called "safer areas," have mobilized themselves, volunteering to offer assistance to the displaced, and hoping to receive rapid aid from local or international organizations. Churches in Lebanon and their related organizations have opened their doors to assist the displaced and are responding to needs within their means.
RESPONSE: Church World Service is issuing this appeal as support for efforts by both the MECC and IOCC.
The MECC, as part of efforts by the Action by Churches Together (ACT) International network, is responding through its Inter-church Network for Development in Lebanon (ICNDR) program. The MECC is responding by providing those affected with food, non-food relief items, water and sanitation and psychosocial attention. The MECC response is being supported by a planned shipment of food and non-food items by Church World Service to be distributed by the MECC. The water and sanitation component will be implemented by Norwegian Church Aid, another CWS partner.
In support of the IOCC response, CWS is providing 5,000 CWS Health Kits, 500 water containers and a large supply of wool blankets. The IOCC response includes delivery of food, water, bedding, hygiene parcels and medicines. IOCC, through its field office in Beirut, is coordinating with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and international partners.
Contributions to support these efforts may be sent to your denomination or directly to:
Church World Service
LEBANON CRISIS
Account #6820
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
Contributions may also be made by credit card online, or by calling: (800) 297-1516, ext. 222.
Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;
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