October 3, 2024 News

Humanitarian crisis in Lebanon: Caritas provides on-the-ground assistance

The security and humanitarian situation in Lebanon is dramatically worsening. As a result of Israeli attacks, approximately one million residents have been displaced from their homes, now needing assistance to meet their basic needs. Caritas Lebanon actively provides humanitarian aid to displaced people, ensuring access to water, food, shelter, and medical and psychosocial support. Caritas Czech Republic has also contributed directly to the aid efforts on the ground.

Escalation of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel

Since 7^th October last year, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, the Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel have been clashing in almost daily cross-border skirmishes. Tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border have been forced to leave their homes for safety.

Tensions have escalated in recent days as Israel has intensified its operations in Lebanon. The Israeli army is heavily shelling targets, especially in southern Lebanon and the capital Beirut, and has launched a ground offensive. The fighting has caused thousands of casualties and, in just the last few days, has displaced a quarter of Lebanon's five million residents from their homes.

Photos Caritas Lebanon

Providing humanitarian aid is impossible for the Lebanese government

Lebanon has long been suffering from a severe socioeconomic crisis, making it impossible for the government to provide critically needed humanitarian aid to all those displaced. In recent years, the Lebanese population has been grappling with a sharp increase in poverty, with more than half of the population estimated to live below the poverty line. Lebanon is also hosting 1.5 million Syrian refugees, making it the country with the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. Additionally, 9 out of 10 Syrian refugees require humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs. State resources are extremely limited.

“The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has been extremely complicated for a long time, and the local government cannot take care of such a large number of people who suddenly found themselves homeless,” explains Kateřina Velíšková, regional manager for the Middle East at Caritas Czech Republic. “A quarter of the entire population has left their homes in just a few days, and they now need help meeting their most basic needs,” adds Velíšková.

Photos Caritas Lebanon

Caritas assists displaced people in Lebanon

Caritas Lebanon has a well-established network in the country and is immediately engaged in helping displaced people. Some have found refuge with relatives in safer parts of the country, and around 130,000 have fled to neighbouring Syria. However, a vast number still remain in makeshift shelters or are sleeping in the streets.

Caritas workers are providing them with drinking water, food, hot meals, hygiene supplies, as well as mattresses and blankets, which are in critically short supply. Caritas health centres and mobile medical teams are offering healthcare, medication, and psychosocial support.

“Our colleagues are also working to secure dignified accommodation for displaced residents,” says Velíšková. “In recent days, Caritas assistance has reached tens of thousands of them,” she adds.

Caritas Czech Republic, which has long cooperated with Caritas Lebanon, is financially contributing to aid efforts for affected civilians.