The situation in the Middle East remains extremely fragile and unpredictable, marked by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, Iranian retaliation, and ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, leading to an increase in civilian casualties, population displacement, and global economic concerns1.
As of April 6, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least 1,461 deaths, including 129 children, and more than 4,400 people injured since the start of the conflict2. Additionally, more than one million people have been internally displaced within Lebanon since March 2, when hostilities resumed between the Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel3.
Prior to the crisis, an estimated 3 million people in Lebanon were already in need of humanitarian assistance, including refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities, due to conflict-related incidents, the repercussions of the Syrian crisis, socio-economic precariousness, and other factors such as water scarcity and drought conditions. Approximately 961,000 people were facing acute food insecurity, while health, water supply, and social protection systems were already operating under considerable strain4.
Development and Peace – Caritas Canada’s work in Lebanon
Development and Peace – Caritas Canada (DPCC) has been active in Lebanon since 2005. The organization has supported a variety of programs, including a post-conflict humanitarian response to the 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel, support for migrants and refugees, support for Palestinian refugees affected by the conflict in the Nahr el Barid camp, and projects addressing issues of human rights, pluralism, civic participation, and social justice.
Response to the current crisis
Our response to the current crisis in Lebanon aims to:
- Save lives and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable people by providing essential humanitarian aid. This involves delivering emergency medical services and mental health care, food assistance, the distribution of non-food items (clothing, mattresses, bedding, etc.), hygiene kits, and bottled water.
- Support the recovery of affected populations by promoting their empowerment and self-reliance.
- Prevent and transform conflicts in Lebanon and neighboring countries by strengthening and sustaining education and cooperation that promotes peace and citizenship among different religious and ethnic communities.
Partners
Our current partners on the field are:
- Caritas Lebanon
- Caritas Middle East and North Africa (Caritas MONA)
- Adyan Foundation
- Basmeh and Zeitooneh
Our partner’s humanitarian response
Caritas Lebanon teams continue their work in 7 governorates and more than 19 districts. To this point, the teams have provided nearly 98,000 services to more than 114,000 vulnerable people, as follows:
- Food assistance: distribution of over 66,000 hot meals, 5,700 loaves of bread, and ready-to-eat food kits.
- Shelter/non-food items: distribution of clothing, mattresses, bedding, and diapers at several collective shelter sites.
- Health and psychosocial support: 2,500 medical consultations, care for 6,600 patients with noncommunicable diseases, and over 1,000 psychosocial interventions.
- Water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH): distribution of hygiene kits and bottled water.
- Protection and education: care for children and support for distance learning for children with disabilities.
- A joint convoy to villages along the southern border to reach communities despite significant access challenges.
Development and Peace – Caritas Canada will continue to support partners in assisting populations affected by this crisis by focusing on the three response areas outlined above.
Don’t wait any longer—give now!
References:
- SitRep 4, Caritas MONA ↩︎
- https://www.unognewsroom.org/story/fr/3082/lebanon-humanitarian-update-unhcr-who/0 ↩︎
- Idem ↩︎
- https://www.unocha.org/lebanon ↩︎