Lebanon humanitarian crisis

The most concerning issue is the lack of safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid to the affected population as communication and transport routes between the different Lebanese regions are hindered. UN agencies have been advocating for the opening of humanitarian corridors but they have not yet materialized.

MECC reports that the lack of food and medical supplies is starting to be felt and that the prices have increased significantly. Internally displaced families are now located in schools, public parks and even on street sidewalks. Lebanese civilians residing in so-called "safer areas", have mobilized themselves, volunteering to assist and offer all kinds of help to the displaced, hoping to receive rapid aid from local or international organizations.

MECC Emergency team has been meeting with different Government institutions, UN agencies and local and international NGOs for coordination and collaboration purposes. They report that churches in Lebanon and their related organizations have opened their doors to assist the displaced and are responding to needs within their means. A survey of the situation of church related schools and centers that have received the internally displaced in the different regions of Lebanon was initiated by the MECC/ICNDR and is underway. The information will be shared as soon as available.

MECC also reports that the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch has opened its monasteries of St. Mary of Saydnaya, St. Takla in Maalula and St. Paul in Tal-Kokab in Syria for the Lebanese population who have fled the war. The Patriarchate is also collecting donations to help assist these refugees in Syria. MECC Associate General Secretary Mr. Samer Lahham is leaving for Greece tomorrow morning, July 26, and will be meeting with Solidarity (NGO) to coordinate the shipping of humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Syria. The Kykkos Monastery in Cyprus is preparing to ship humanitarian assistance, offered on behalf of the Church of Cyprus and the Government, that will be sent once the safe humanitarian corridor is opened.

The ACT CO is in permanent contact with MECC and is finalizing the preparations of a CATs team that it is expected to travel to Lebanon during the week end of July 29-30. MECC is working in a preliminary appeal that it is expected to be received tomorrow (July 26) by the ACT CO.

ACT member, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), has already deployed a team of two persons to assist MECC in the primary phase of the crisis. One member of the team has been supporting MECC on the assessment of the situation and the preparation of the preliminary appeal while the water and sanitation engineer is working on the water and sanitation component.

With the resources received from the RRF and initial contributions from NCA and Danchurchaid, MECC will initiate tomorrow the distribution of food and hygienic packages, tomorrow, July 26.

Lutheran World Relief, LWR, has reimbursed U$20,000 of the RRF sent to Lebanon. Church of Sweden, Danchurchaid , Finchurchaid and Church World service, have already indicated their intention to support the forthcoming ACT appeal.