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242 372ADRA’s Lebanon Response – 2024
8 October, 2024
October 8 – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is ramping up humanitarian aid to support displaced communities affected by the ongoing hostilities in Lebanon. ADRA emergency response teams are actively working on the ground to address the urgent needs arising from the escalating crisis.
The armed conflict has resulted in the displacement of over 1.2 million people, nearly 2,000 fatalities, and close to 10,000 injuries, including hundreds of children, according to reports from Lebanon’s Foreign Minister. Water supplies have been severely disrupted, hundreds of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and countless health clinics shut down because of the fighting. All schools and universities in Lebanon are currently closed with some serving as refugee shelters.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families impacted by the turmoil, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to their safety and well-being,” says ADRA International President Michael Kruger. “Our emergency management team has already begun coordinating closely with our country offices operating in the region and partners in Lebanon and Syria, to address immediate needs and provide essential resources and sustenance to those who are suffering. ADRA will continue monitoring the situation closely and adapt its efforts to ensure we can support the communities most in need as circumstances evolve. Let us come together in hope and solidarity, praying for peace and protection for all those impacted by this crisis.”
ADRA is collaborating with the Adventist Church and faith-based organisations to expand assistance to other vulnerable displaced residents, deploy volunteers as needed to support activities and children’s initiatives in collective shelters, and expand relief in affected areas.
Despite security concerns and mobility challenges, ADRA has swiftly mobilised to provide essential aid since the onset of the crisis. ADRA’s country office in Lebanon has partnered with the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and volunteers from Middle East University to distribute breakfasts and hot meals in shelters. ADRA is collaborating with the World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian agencies to deliver food parcels to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and provide e-cards (electronic vouchers) for food and other essential needs. ADRA also supplied educational assistance to displaced families at the Adventist Secondary School, such as textbooks and uniforms, as well as food and non-food vouchers. Additionally, ADRA is working to ensure that communal kitchens and restrooms are operational to serve more people.
“The situation is dire and worsening for families by the minute,” says Kelly Dowling, emergency response program manager for ADRA International. “ADRA aims to restore and improve cleanliness and living conditions in temporary communal shelters in Lebanon to accommodate more refugees and displaced families. ADRA is also striving to increase food access in the region. We encourage everyone to support ADRA; every contribution, no matter how small, helps us reach more communities in need.”
ADRA is also committed to providing cash assistance to internally displaced households to help them regain stability during this challenging time.
To support ADRA’s response to the Lebanon crisis, donate at adra.org.au/disaster.