Lebanon (MNN/WV) –As violence continues to escalate in Lebanon, World Vision staff are working around the clock to assist thousands of displaced citizens fleeing the strife. But, supplies are running low.
According to the World Health Organization, the number of displaced within the country is 700,000. 200,000 of them are children. Late last week, dozens of displaced families seeking shelter arrived at World Vision’s program area in the north.
“All the village has come together to help the [displaced]. As more families arrive, World Vision will intervene with mattresses, food and hygiene supplies,” explained Kozhaya Hannah, World Vision’s area manager in northern Lebanon.
“We have initiated negotiations with the governor of the north area in opening the public schools to accommodate the many more families that will arrive.” The majority of the displaced in the north are arriving from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, where they have witnessed extensive fighting.
A team of nine World Vision staff and some 20 volunteers are covering three World Vision-assisted project communities in the Beirut metro area, distributing food and hygiene supplies. With the growing need for aid, World Vision’s warehouses in the region are running low on vital relief supplies, including food, blankets and clean water for the children and families who are caught in the middle of the conflict.
According to CNN, Lebanese officials reported Tuesday that since July 12, at least 392 people, mostly civilians, have been killed and as many as 1,383 wounded in Lebanon.
According to Israeli officials, the news agency went on to say, “at least 41 Israelis have died, including 19 civilians, and at least 388 have been wounded.”
Relief efforts are regrettably hampered, since bridges and roads into south Lebanon are damaged or destroyed; moreover, truck convoys are reportedly the target of attacks in Lebanon, limiting aid efforts further.
World Vision is working on a three-phase humanitarian response to the growing crisis with the goal of initially providing immediate aid to alleviate the suffering of 15,000 displaced, including approximately 4,500 girls and boys.
As a Christian organization, World Vision is doing all this to show the love of Christ. Pray that God will use this to plant seeds through their testimony.
