By Minaz Kerawala, Communications and Public Relations Advisor
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada is raising funds to help its partners respond to the Lebanon emergency. Israel’s intensification of bombardments in Lebanon since a week ago and rumours of its impending deployment of ground troops have already resulted in the displacement of over a million Lebanese people. This unprecedent exodus represents nearly a fifth of the country’s population.
Lebanon emergency: a “terrible escalation”
On September 18 and 19, 2024, pager and walkie-talkie explosions, widely believed to have been engineered by Israel, marked the intensification of conflict in southern Lebanon that had been simmering for nearly a year on the margins of the war in Gaza. Israel quickly followed up with a bombing campaign beginning September 23.
By the end of last week, the UN was reporting that the bombings had claimed over 1,600 lives and injured over 8,400 people in addition to damaging 25 water facilities and resulting in the closure of 37 health facilities.
Pope Francis immediately denounced “this terrible escalation” as “unacceptable.” Speaking to journalists yesterday, the Holy Father went on to characterize Israel’s actions as “disproportionate,” “domineering” and “immoral.”
The Government of Canada, too, has issued a statement condemning “the killing of civilians and humanitarian workers, including women and children” and calling “for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border.”
Lebanon emergency: our partners step up
Several of our local partners sprang into action immediately to serve people affected and displaced by the bombardments. Within less than a week, Caritas Lebanon had distributed hot meals, bread, ready-to-eat meals, food kits, hygiene kits, mattresses, blankets, medications, medical services and baby and childcare supplies to over 24,000 people.
As the situation becomes increasingly complex and needs on the ground intensify, Caritas Lebanon will continue scaling up their operations. But, as they explain in the following video messages, they are facing a resource crunch.
Lebanon emergency: your help is needed now
Luke Stocking, Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada’s interim executive director, said, “Whenever there is a crisis, Caritas Lebanon and our other partners have been there for the Lebanese people. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to stand with them. Every dollar you give ensures that more lives will be saved, and more comfort will be brought to their people.”
Let’s heed Pope Francis’s call to “pray for the victims, for their families, and for peace.” Let’s express our solidarity with the Lebanese people through our generosity.
