PWRDF responds: crisis in Lebanon
By Janice Biehn:
Due to intensifying conflict between the Israel Defense Force and Hezbollah, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is worsening, with death, injuries, and displacement of more than 1.5 million people. The southern part of Lebanon, including Palestinian refugee camps, has been badly hit.
In response to this ongoing crisis, PWRDF is allocating $50,000 to an ACT Alliance emergency appeal and is now accepting donations towards this appeal.
Today it was also announced that the Humanitarian Coalition has launched an appeal with a $3 million match from the Government of Canada. The campaign will run until Sunday, November 3. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a member of the Humanitarian Coalition. As a member of the Foodgrains Bank, donations made to PWRDF’s Lebanon Emergency appeal during this time will be matched.
PWRDF’s grant will support the work of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees-Joint Christian Committee (DSPR- JCC), a member of the ACT Alliance Forum in Lebanon. The current conflict affected the refugee camps in the south where DSPR-JCC has been providing services, forced them to temporarily close four offices.
“I’m happy to be earmarking our funds to DSPR-JCC,” says Naba Gurung, PWRDF’s Humanitarian Response Coordinator. “We worked with them bilaterally in the past and they have long-standing experience working with refugees and displaced people in that region.”
Currently DSPR-JCC is working in Dbayeh refugee camp (hosting roughly 5,000 refugees) which remains stable, with no military activity. Due to the conflict, more than 110 families, approximately 450 individuals, have sought refuge with relatives in this camp with the numbers rising daily.
In this camp, host families face significant socio-economic difficulties as the result of Lebanon’s ongoing crises since 2019. Despite their own challenges, these host families continue to offer refuge to their displaced guests. In some houses there are more than three families sharing a single living space. Thus the urgency of additional support.
Photo: Hot meals were delivered to people in need in Lebanon.
DSPR-JCC staff and volunteers are actively assisting displaced families by facilitating their accommodation with relatives. DSPR-JCC was able to deliver 300 hot meals to 94 displaced families (290 persons) who are living now in their relatives’ houses in Dbayeh camp. A recent assessment by DSPR-JCC revealed that the majority of people living in the camp are Lebanese, from diverse religious backgrounds coming from Southern Lebanon, Beirut’s Southern Suburbs (Dahyeh) and Baalbek.
The immediate need for both displaced and host families is financial assistance to meet their basic necessities. At the same time, children affected by the airstrikes are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and urgently require psychosocial care to help alleviate their emotional and psychological distress. DSPR-JCC is actively coordinating with local partners to address these critical needs. As the situation continues to deteriorate, swift intervention is essential, and plans for implementation are ready to continue/expand as soon as the necessary funds are secured.
The Lebanese people are facing limited access to necessities like food and healthcare. The country’s food supplies are decreasing rapidly, leaving thousands of people without access to nutritious food. This has led to widespread hunger, malnutrition and related health issues, particularly among children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
The healthcare situation is also dire. Hospitals are overwhelmed with sick and injured patients, and medical supplies are running low. Many healthcare facilities lack the resources and staff to provide adequate care, leading to unnecessary suffering and even death. The shortage of essential medicines, including life-saving drugs, has left patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, without access to the treatment they need.
How you can help
Please continue to pray for the people affected by this conflict. You can also donate to PWRDF’s Lebanon Emergency Appeal. Donations must be received (postmarked) by November 3, 2024 to be eligible for the Humanitarian Coalition Fund match. You can make your gift online at pwrdf.org/give-today, or you may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 (or leave a message toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and we will return your call) or by mail. Send your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate “Lebanon” in the memo field.