ADRA Offers Aid to IDPs in Lebanon
2 October 2024 |
Militant airstrikes which began on September 21 have been devastating the people of Lebanon, leading to fatalities, devastation, injuries, and over 500,000 internally displaced people, or IDPs, to be left among the wreckage. Many towns and villages have been forced to evacuate to other parts of the country, uprooting their lives in search of asylum. Some schools and universities have transformed into sanctuaries for the IDPs and nearly 170 shelters have been opened across Lebanon to meet the public’s needs.
ADRA Lebanon has jumped into action, partnering with Middle East University and the SDA church in Lebanon, and creating connections with local restaurants in Aarsal to provide hot meals delivered by ADRA field office staff to the shelters. Offering nutritious food and necessities is a top priority for the humanitarian organization since the IDPs are families desperate to stay together and not have to separate in search of basic needs.
The Lebanon airstrikes are the newest wave of violence in the building conflict that began nearly a year ago. Humanitarian aid has been working to address the needs of those displaced and offering support to local organizations, governments, and task forces doing their part to meet the spiritual and physical needs of IDPs.
“ADRA’s country office in Lebanon has been focusing on assisting displaced households impacted by the conflict along the southern border. Our goal is to give access to a diverse nutritious food supply that contributes to people’s well-being,” Kelly Dowling, emergency response program manager for ADRA International, said in an interview with Adventist Review.
“The initial response efforts will provide food assistance through hot meals to IDPs in two shelters. In the Dekwena area of Mount Lebanon, ADRA is organizing a daily distribution of hot meals for lunch, along with water, vegetables, and fruit. Please continue to pray for Lebanon, those who are hurting, and our ADRA team as we work to relieve the suffering of those enduring terrible loss and hardship.”
ADRA Lebanon created the “Speak Up for Lebanon” campaign, where donations go towards medical equipment, hygiene products, education, and food security.
