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Amid Food Shortages in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches Is Helping Where It Can
An elderly Lebanese woman sat in rubble as she waited for help in the battered village of Bent Jbeil, in southern Lebanon, this past week.
Photo: REUTERS/ALI HASHISHO, courtesy www.alertnet.org
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By Dominic Nutt, ACT International
Beirut--Many of the people who have fled the Israeli bombing of Lebanon have found refuge in public schools in Beirut and other cities.
Long-time CWS partner, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), is doing its best to help some of them, bringing in much-needed food parcels.
Around 550 displaced people are camped in the Charity School in central Beirut. Conditions there are basic and difficult, but better than in many other places.
There are only 12 toilets and no shower facilities. Water, as elsewhere across the city, must be delivered by truck.
A few days ago MECC delivered 55 food parcels, which were split into two and given to the 100 families living there. The parcels will last only a few days.
In the meantime, Hezbollah often brings the families breakfast and hot evening meals and sometimes lunch too.
It is common for political parties here to deliver food and supplies to displaced people in a battle to win hearts and minds. And it appears to be working.
Ahmad Hmedy, 19, fled with seven members of his immediate family from the town of Meis Al, near the Israeli border.
His father stayed behind to look after Ahmad’s grandmother, 75, and his 83-year-old grandfather.
"They are too old to move, so my father, who is a teacher, is with them," said Ahmad.
"They only had a few days' worth of food left when we went. I can’t contact him so I don’t know if they have run out now.
"When the conflict started I was furious with Hezbollah for bringing this war on us. Now I am furious with Israel for bombing us. Now I just want them (Hezbollah) to win. They bring us food."
Ahmad says he is "sad" that Israeli leaders have suggested that anyone who remains in the south is a terrorist.
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Contributions to support humanitarian assistance to civilians in need in Lebanon may be made to Church World Service by credit card online or by calling (800) 297-1516, ext. 222; or by check to:
Church World Service
Lebanon Crisis
Account #6820
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;
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