16/10/2024, Author: Clodagh Gallagher

This is our latest update on the situation of Christians in Lebanon as a result of the war. ACN has been working in Lebanon for decades, so we were already plugged into communities here when the southern and then eastern parts of the country began to be attacked. We were able, therefore, to have a swift response to the displacement of people as a result of daily Israeli bombardment. We are focused on providing for the great medical, food and housing needs that arose and continue to increase as a result of this violence and devastation.

Currently there are more than 1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) spread across Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the North of Lebanon. These are people who have evacuated (many on foot) from the southern and eastern parts of the country. These one million IDPs (who had normal lives, jobs, and homes of their own) are sheltering where they can in schools, church halls, houses or hostels - and in the most desperate situations, on the side of the road. We are working hard to provide as many temporary accommodations as we can through our diocesan and community partners, as well as running water, food, medical supplies, clothes, and other basics.

These sudden refugees from the southern and eastern parts of the country typically have two sources of income: the cultivation of olives and tobacco. Because of the violence, they’ve now lost their income for this year too. Public schools will not start before the 4th of November, while 98% of the Catholic schools have already started back. Catholic schools in Mount Lebanon and the North have started back in person, while Catholic schools in other parts of the country are online.

On the border between Lebanon and Israel where many of these people have evacuated from, there are many Christian villages. Usually, Christians in Lebanon live with their relatives of various generations. Many Christian families are now separated, in many cases with the father staying in the house while the rest of the family seeks refuge elsewhere. This is to prevent others from taking their properties and homes.

The local Church is in fully active in response to this mass-displacement and suffering. Those directly affected by the displaced and injured are:

• The Greek Melkite Diocese of Tyr

• The Maronite Diocese of Tyr

• The Greek Melkite Diocese of Saida

• The Maronite Diocese of Saida

• The Maronite Diocese of Baalbek

• The Sisters of the Blessed Hearts of Jesus and Mary

• The Good Service Sisters

• The Don Bosco Sisters

These are dioceses and religious communities that we are directly funding, and they have opened the church facilities to the IDPs and they are trying to help as much as they can. We feel relevant to remark, in bringing this report, how impeccably honest our brothers and sisters here are, in that they tell us if they don’t need help with a particular item or issue.

According to a UN report, 235,000 people have crossed into Syria over land, including 82,000 Lebanese and 152,000 Syrians who had been refugees in Lebanon. Our local sources say the numbers are higher; 86,000 Lebanese and 233,000 Syrians. The Lebanese seeking refuge in Syria are mainly Shia Muslims. A bishop has told us that many Lebanese have sought refuge in Iraq.

ACN’s Emergency response:

1. We have contacted all religious congregations in affected areas of the country to ensure all members are safe, as well as the Beqaa Diocese, to ask about the needs of their people, so that we can provide adequate aid.

2. Many religious congregations have left the south of Lebanon.

3. Our assessments of people’s immediate needs have determined that the greatest needs at present, in descending order, are food, sanitary products, mattresses and covers, medication, and then other essentials.

4. We have started receiving applications where the beneficiaries are the families who have either have stayed in their homes in affected areas or had to flee destroyed villages. The beneficiaries are both Christian and Muslim.

Please keep Lebanon in your prayers. If you have the means, please donate to our emergency campaign for Lebanon: Lebanon Aid Campaign | Aid to the Church in Need Ireland | ACN Ireland