LEBANON
“There have already been more than a hundred victims on the Lebanese side of the border, where many Christians are living.”
While attention is focused exclusively on Ukraine, the West Bank or Gaza, Lebanese Christians have been left behind.
“All Lebanese are holding their breath, and everyone knows that the sustainability of peace in the region is uncertain.“
And to add insult to injury, Lebanon is going through its worst economic and political crisis ever, and has not recovered from the explosion in the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020. It is fighting for its survival between the collapse of the Lebanese pound by almost 90%, hyperinflation and the absence of a State. In fact, 80% of the population is living below the poverty line, without access to drinking water or electricity.
Tensions in southern Lebanon, that residents have always lived with in this region, have intensified since 7 October, with daily exchanges of rocket fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
The Israeli defence minister warned that “what we do in Gaza, we can also do in Beirut if Hezbollah crosses the red line”.
Christians living in the southern Lebanon villages, near the border with Israel, are suffering terribly to find food, whose prices, already high due to supply problems, have doubled in 48 hours. Many Christians have fled the region to escape the daily bombardments. However, almost 1,300 families in 16 villages have chosen to stay in order to maintain the Christian presence in the area.
SOS Chrétiens d’Orient, in collaboration with local bishoprics, is supporting these 1,300 families by distributing food parcels and essential items to help them maintain their presence in their homes.
Each food parcel includes olive oil, chickpeas, wheat semolina, tins of tuna, sugar and cheese, enough to meet a family’s needs for a fortnight.
With your help, almost 1,300 parcels can be distributed to families living in extreme poverty.
Your donation, however small, will have a significant impact on this vital project. Every contribution brings us closer to our common goal. We invite you to join forces with SOSCO and support the Lebanese families the most in need.
We live in daily anxiety, watching news unfold hour by hour and praying for a de-escalation. All we want is to live in peace in our southern Lebanon.
