War in the Middle East: ACN increases emergency aid to Lebanon
Faced with the recent escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has significantly increased its aid to the country. Currently the focus is on the development of healthcare infrastructure, support for IDPs and concrete aid for the regions worst affected by the attacks.
One of the goals is the establishment of new medical support centres in the south of the country, which is in crisis. In partnership with the Maronite Catholic Church, ACN plans to take advantage of pre-existing infrastructure to establish a medical centre in Qlayaa. The Christian-majority town is located only a few kilometres from the Israeli border and used to be ministered to by Fr Pierre el-Raï, who was killed in an attack on 9 March.
Aid for wounded urgently needed
Qlayaa already has volunteers and medical personnel, but suffers from a lack of medication, equipment and money. This is where ACN’s help comes in. The organisation wants to cover the salaries of medical staff and provide medication and necessary hardware, all this against the backdrop of the dramatic experiences of the past weeks, during which many people succumbed to their injuries because of lack of emergency medical attention.
At the same time, the foundation has launched new emergency aid projects for displaced people, and will be providing food and basic goods to around 1500 IDPs in the Maronite eparchy of Sidon, in southeast Lebanon.
In another project, around 8000 people who were forced to leave their homes because of the fighting are benefitting from aid in the region of Baalbek, in the Bekaa valley. Both these initiatives, which are in the final stages of planning, are being implemented with the assistance of partners from the local Church.
Parishes and monasteries converted into emergency shelters
Aid is being provided through a wide range of Church organisations: parishes, diocesan institutions and monasteries have been taking in the displaced and are coordinating care and shelter. Many people are currently living in Church buildings, with host families or in rented apartments. The Church provides assistance to all those in need, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Provisions in Lebanon are also becoming dramatically scarce. Besides difficulties in purchasing food, fuel shortages are also becoming a serious problem, since many infrastructures depend on generators because of constant electricity cuts. ACN is also preparing additional support in this field.
Aid for children refugees
Besides providing emergency support, Aid to the Church in Need has also been responding to the specific requirements of children and families, and has a project in the works to distribute packages which include games and Bibles. These are aimed at helping children better process their experiences of flight and violence, and at helping families to face these exceptional situations.
Current measures are based on the foundations of a long-term relationship between ACN and the Church in Lebanon. During the escalation of violence due to the war in Gaza, ACN provided over four million euros for 72 projects, including support for schools, food, medical care and trauma support. Given the current situation, local partners are now expecting even greater demand for help.
“Our strength lies in the fact that we remain”
The foundation’s work in Lebanon has been marked by its long-term focus. “Our strength lies in the fact that we remain,” say local ACN coordinators. Many ongoing projects – such as support for Catholic schools or pastoral projects for psychological support – are already considered emergency aid and will continue in the current context.
Meanwhile, the situation in Lebanon continues to be tense. The displaced are spread out all over the country and the number of people requiring aid is in constant flux. This makes it even more important to keep up a steady flow of coordination with local partners and other aid agencies. Two things, however, are clear: the Church continues to be the main contact point for many people, and ACN support will continue despite the difficult conditions.
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