LEBANON: Charity aiming to raise €1 million to help displaced people

A Catholic charity is rushing to the aid of the Church in Lebanon and hoping to raise at least €1 million (£830,000) to help those who have fled their homes amid the escalating conflict.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has announced an emergency appeal to assist the Church as it strives to cope with the increasing crisis in Lebanon caused by the ongoing airstrikes and ground assault.

The fund-raising target announced by ACN follows steps taken by the charity to upscale emergency outreach amid reports that more than one million people have been displaced within the past month.

Almost everyone from southern Lebanon’s Christian villages have fled their homes, and most IDPs (internally displaced persons) have sought refuge in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and other northern regions, according to local sources.

ACN’s sources said that countless families have been separated, with mothers fleeing to safer areas with their children, and fathers staying in the family homes to prevent burglary, despite the dangers.

They added that the Church has been doing what it can to help IDPs, including providing shelter in parish buildings and retreat houses, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

ACN has been in contact with the seven dioceses and five religious congregations most directly involved in the relief efforts and is aiming to raise funds to be able to offer more emergency aid, such as food, medicine, mattresses, sanitary products and other basic necessities.

The charity has also been providing ongoing help with tuition fees for families struggling to pay them – because most schools in Lebanon are private – and supporting pastoral programmes, as well as offering other forms of desperately needed assistance.

Dr Caroline Hull, national director at ACN (UK) said: “We must do all we can to support our heroic project partners who are providing material and spiritual support to the many people who have had to leave everything behind to find safety from a war that has engulfed their towns and villages.

“How can our hearts not go out to our suffering brothers and sisters who find themselves in dire need through no fault of their own?”

She concluded: “ACN is committed to coming to their aid, making sure they know that they are not forgotten.”

With thanks to Filipe d’Avillez