Aid Groups Draw Attention to Lebanon's ''Catastrophic'' Crisis
Rising death tolls, military offenses, and efforts by world leaders to end the 15-day Lebanon-Israel conflict has often overshadowed what aid agencies and Middle East churches are calling a ‘‘catastrophic humanitarian crisis’’ in Lebanon.
In spite of discussions and statements issued by the international community, reports from the field indicate that the conflict shows no sign of letting up as Hezbollah and Israeli troops battle for a key hilltop town in southern Lebanon on Wednesday according to The Associated Press.
However, aid agencies are alerting the world community about the deteriorating conditions of Lebanese civilians as a result of the clash.
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“Up until July 20, our staff could not provide any relief because the area was under sporadic bombing,” said Lina Abi Rizk, World Vision’s project manager in East Sidon, Lebanon, in a WV report Wednesday. “In one of the schools where 400 displaced people are staying, there are only 100 mattresses to accommodate that number. The rest of the people are sleeping on the floor.”
Lebanese civilians are piling into crowded schools, public buildings, with some located even in public parks and street sidewalks. According to the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Lebanon, more than 600,000 people are forcibly displaced as a result of the conflict. Church World Service reported more than 400,000 internally displaced people have taken refuge in public and private schools in the country.
Lebanon was experiencing a “catastrophic humanitarian crisis,” said Guirgis I. Saleh, general secretary of the MECC in a report released by CWS on July 19, especially regarding food and medicine.
“Hence, all efforts should be deployed by the international community, churches and ecumenical councils and organizations worldwide to bring their support to ensure the basic requirements of the Lebanese population, and to work on a cease fire,” said Saleh.
The prime minister of Lebanon, Fuad Siniora, also declared Lebanon to be a disaster area.
"The country is really being cut to pieces,” he said.
World Vision is among the many Christian agencies which have responded to the needs of innocent civilians caught in the cross-fires. WV provided blankets, clothes, hygiene supplies and medicines to nearly 1,000 displaced people in six locations in East Sidon this past weekend, the group reported Wednesday. Milk and diapers were provided to 170 children under age 3 in northern Lebanon. The aid agency is partnering with Catholic NGO Caritas to distribute needed items and divide responsibilities.
Action by Churches Together (ACT) members have both physically and financially supported efforts to provide relief to Lebanese citizens. Members who have participated include the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Church of Sweden, Danchurchaid, Finchurchaid, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), Lutheran World Relief (LWR), and Church World Service.
World Relief is working with local Lebanese and Palestinian churches to provide temporary shelters as well as offer a week’s supply of food packets, mattresses, medicine and hygiene kits to 5,000 families. WR is partnering with MAP International to offer medical care to people affected by the conflict. Medicine and emergency services will reach 20,000 people over the next three months.
