Preparation of food for people in need. Photo: Caritas Lebanon
The crisis in Lebanon
Over 1 million people
have been displaced from their homes.
Over 3,000 people
have been killed, including children.
Over 13,000 people
have been injured.
The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has pushed Lebanon into severe turmoil, with tragic consequences that have spread from Southern Lebanon to the entire nation. The situation is dire: over 3,000 lives have been lost, more than 13,000 people injured, and critical infrastructure has been destroyed.
The war’s devastation has triggered an overwhelming humanitarian crisis, displacing over one million people, which is almost a quarter of the Lebanese population - many of whom have fled from South Lebanon, the Bekaa, and other conflict zones. With winter approaching, these displaced families face cold weather and harsh living conditions that exacerbate their suffering.
Caritas Lebanon waving a flag Photo: Caritas Lebanon
The urgent call for support
In response to a heartfelt plea for assistance by Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay and Bishop Robert Rabbat, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in partnership with Catholic Religious Australia, Caritas Australia and Caritas Lebanon, has launched the Lebanon Appeal. This appeal aims to provide essential humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters suffering in Lebanon, especially those who are displaced and without homes or shelter.
A crisis of unprecedented magnitude
Entire communities have been uprooted from their homes, including the ancient biblical city of Tyre. Entire towns and villages have been evacuated, leaving thousands displaced. Churches, homes, and vital community centres have been destroyed.
Official figures indicate that the number of displaced persons in the Baalbek-Hermel region has exceeded 60,000. They are distributed among safe towns, such as Deir El Ahmar and its surrounding villages.
A Caritas worker hands out water alongside the road. Photo credit: Caritas Lebanon.
Volunteers distributing aid in Beirut. Photo: Caritas Lebanon
Support is also needed for the remaining villages in the South of Lebanon. Despite the war, 5,500 families have chosen to remain in their town of Rmeish, located less than one kilometre from the Blue Line, which marks the border between Lebanon and Israel, dividing the areas controlled by Hezbollah and Israel.
At every hour of the day and every moment of the night, residents hear the sounds of rockets, shells, fighter jets, and automatic weapons used in ground combat.
The town's residents lack everything, especially as they host their neighbours from Ain Ebel, another isolated village in the area that the Israeli army ordered to evacuate at the beginning of October.
In Tyre alone, fewer than 200 Christians remain in what once was a thriving community of over 350 families. With resources stretched thin and relentless bombings, the local organisations and churches can no longer meet the needs of the growing number of displaced families.
Immediate needs of the displaced
Multi-purpose cash assistance to families in need
Healthcare
Food distribution
Housing assistance
Psychosocial support and counselling for children and their families
Medicines
Support for the elderly and disabled
Educational support
Your help is needed now more than ever
The words of Metropolitan Georges Iskandar of Tyre echo the urgency of this call: “We are in desperate need of your support to bring back smiles to the faces of children, the elderly, and those with special needs, to alleviate the suffering of families who have lost their homes, and to restore hope to families that fear the future.”
Just as Simon of Cyrene helped Christ carry His heavy cross, we too are called to support our suffering brothers and sisters in Lebanon.
How you can make a difference
We urge the Catholics of Australia and all people of goodwill to respond with compassion. Your contributions will help provide urgent assistance and hope to those who have been forced to flee their homes.
Donate Now
Your donation will directly support Caritas Lebanon’s efforts in distributing aid to those most in need.
Let us act as instruments of peace and support, answering this call for help and standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters during this unprecedented crisis.
The Caritas Lebanon team gathered together. Photo: Caritas Lebanon
Where does my donation go?
Your donation will be used to support displaced families and affected communities in Lebanon, bringing hope to vulnerable communities who have been forced to flee their homes due to the current crisis. If any funds remain after the crisis, or if there are changes in circumstances beyond our control which limit our ability to use the funds, they are kept in the Lebanon Appeal so that we can respond to ongoing development needs.
