Since the current war in the Middle East began in late February, Lebanon has been heavily bombed by Israel. More than one million registered as displaced, 2,100 have been injured, and at least 886 people have been killed since the first attacks on 2 March.
These bombardments are worse than ever before. They’re bombing buildings with no notice. They’re threatening to bomb infrastructure, bridges, airports. They’re saying, they will target our power plants. Nothing is safe,says DanChurchAid’s Head of Program in Lebanon, Mirna El Sabbagh.
Despite the dangerous situation, DanChurchAid continues to provide emergency assistance to people displaced by the violence.
“We are responding to the emergency the best we can. We see families living in tents, temporary shelters or even on the streets. It is clear they need our support. As a citizen of this country, I cannot just stand by knowing I can make a difference for them,” she says.
So far, DCA has contributed:
- 491 pillows
- 1205 blankets
- 6,660 hot meals
- 544 RTEs
- 268 food parcels
- 387 hygiene kits
- 8,838 liters of water
Delivering emergency aid amid bombs
Many families have been displaced and are currently staying in schools, public buildings, or temporary shelters. People are lacking basic items such as blankets, water and hygiene supplies. They’re fleeing with almost nothing
DanChurchAid has rapidly mobilized emergency assistance to try and respond to the circumstances. This assistance is helping families meet immediate needs while they search for safer places to stay.
So far, we have reached more than 9,000 displaced people, even though around 80% of our own staff in Lebanon are also internally displaced.
Mirna El Sabbagh and her team are based in south Lebanon where the vast majority of the bombs are falling:
“We’re trying to stay calm, but of course our nervous systems are completely shattered. I fear the evacuation threats will increase and that we will all have to leave. I don’t want to leave my house, my family,” she says.
“The other day, I was distributing hot meals not too far away from where I am now, but less than an hour after I left, Israeli bombs hit the village. No evacuation orders. No notice.”
Supporting communities
DanChurchAid is preparing to scale up support in the coming months through:
- Cash assistance for farmers & families to cover basic needs
- Food security support and food parcel distributions
- Water, sanitation and hygiene services
- Psychosocial and protection services
DanChurchAid has worked in Lebanon since 2007, supporting Lebanese communities as well as Palestinian refugees and refugees from Syria through humanitarian and development programs, such as removing explosive remnants of war and agricultural development.
However, these programs are on pause, and efforts are focused on emergency response until the situation starts deescalating.
But for now, the conflict is continuing, and humanitarian needs are expected to grow rapidly.
Despite the uncertainty and risks, the teams on the ground remain committed to helping families affected by the violence.
“I see solidarity among the Lebanese people. Communities are coming together; we’re all taking risks to take care of each other. I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Mirna says and adds: ”I never lose hope. If I lose hope, I die.”
- On Monday 16 March more than €200,000 was allocated to support internally displaced people in Lebanon with support from DANIDA.
- To expand our response and reach even more people across Lebanon, DanChurchAid is seeking to mobilize an additional €4 million in funding over the coming months.