"I am from south Lebanon, and I am afraid.” That’s what 10-year-old Adam told Lutheran World Relief when his family arrived at a shelter outside Beirut, Lebanon, on September 25.
As bombs fell on their hometown in Bint Jbeil, Adam’s family packed everything they could grab quickly. In a matter of minutes, they were in the car, driving as fast and far as possible to escape the danger. After a12-hour drive to Beirut, Adam and his sister waited in the car for several more hours while their parents searched for a safe place to sleep.
Attacks on Lebanon create displacement crisis
Over the past year, more than 120,000 people have been chased out of their homes as conflict between Israel and Hezbollah increased — in large part a spillover of the Israel-Hamas war.
Life in south Lebanon had been peaceful and — after years of financial struggle — on the verge of economic recovery before this new wave of violence erupted. Now, families are living in vacant buildings. Some are staying with family members. Children haven’t been able to resume their studies as all education in the region has been suspended.
School was just about to reopen when the Israeli bombs killed more than 550 people, including 55 children, on September 23.
Sending help to displaced families in Lebanon
As the crisis deepens, Lutheran World Relief staff report the same story over and over — innocent families narrowly escaping bombings, and now searching for safe shelter. The situation is terrifying and desperate — and it is only getting worse.
According to Jad Naddaf, director of the Technical Public Hotel Management School in Dekwaneh that is being used as a shelter, “We found hundreds of people waiting in their car with no place to go.”
Thanks to the generosity of our compassionate donors, LWR has already distributed emergency food parcels to more than 220 families and LWR Quilts & Kits to more than 1,000. More Quilts & Kits are on the way, but this is not enough for the growing need.
Adam’s mother echoed what other displaced families have said: their family’s biggest needs are shelter, food and hygiene supplies. Jad Naddaf noted that some families in the shelter have additional needs such as diapers, milk and medications.
Adam says he just wants to go home, go to school and see his friends. Until it’s safe, will you help to ensure his family has what they need to survive?
Your gift will deliver critically needed resources like shelter, food, water and essential supplies to the people who need it most in Lebanon and beyond. With support from faithful friends like you, we can do more to care for neighbors in need. Please give now.