Christian Aid pledges continued support to traumatized Lebanon
-23/11/06
The death of
Christian Aid pledges continued support to traumatized Lebanon
-23/11/06
The death of a government minister in Beirut brings further instability to a country whose people are still struggling to rebuild their lives after the conflict with Israel in the summer, says churches’ development and advocacy agency Christian Aid – which has renewed its pledge to provide assistance in the troubled region.
Christian Aid emphasises that it condemns violence of any kind and supports those on the ground working to ensure that the overall cessation of violence that has been in place since 14 August 2006 holds.
Lucy Hayter, senior programme manager for Christian Aid in the Middle East, has recently returned from Lebanon. “There is a huge need for livelihood support throughout the country,” she said. “The political situation is tense and there is the potential of a violent response if the government collapses.”
If civil war breaks out again, it is the poorest and most vulnerable members of Lebanese society who will suffer the most, just as they suffer the most from the effects of foreign invasion.
The poor will continue on a knife edge of poor security and uncertain development prospects as long as the future direction of Lebanon is set by unaccountable, armed strongmen and their militias.
Peace, justice and decent life prospects depend on all Lebanese having some influence on the local, national and international decision-making that affects their lives, says the agency.
Grassrotts organisations are working hard to help men women and children rebuild their lives and livelihoods, using money raised through Christian Aid’s Middle East appeal and other backers.
Mouvement Social is focusing on getting children back to school. Children are also most vulnerable to psychological problems after conflict and so the 104,790 US dollars recently given by Christian Aid will also help fund psychosocial support children for the next year.
In south Lebanon, Beirut and the Beqaa valley near Syria, the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU) is working with fifty disabled people and their families on livelihood rehabilitation and support, with 103,600 US dollars also recently provided by the agency.
LPHU is one of the few organisations to defend the rights of disabled people in Lebanon and has had a successful track record of influencing government policy on this issue.
Christian Aid has also given a new grant of 80,000 US dollras to a rehabilitation project in the Beqaa valley which is helping families protect their homes as winter arrives. The Developing Processes Lebanon carried out damage assessment of homes and businesses before people returned to their villages and is now helping them carry out minor repairs on around 110 homes to keep them warm as the cold comes.
The Christian Aid Middle East Appeal raised a total of £1.5 million and is still open.
Christian Aid pledges continued support to traumatized Lebanon
-23/11/06
The death of a government minister in Beirut brings further instability to a country whose people are still struggling to rebuild their lives after the conflict with Israel in the summer, says churches’ development and advocacy agency Christian Aid – which has renewed its pledge to provide assistance in the troubled region.
Christian Aid emphasises that it condemns violence of any kind and supports those on the ground working to ensure that the overall cessation of violence that has been in place since 14 August 2006 holds.
Lucy Hayter, senior programme manager for Christian Aid in the Middle East, has recently returned from Lebanon. “There is a huge need for livelihood support throughout the country,” she said. “The political situation is tense and there is the potential of a violent response if the government collapses.”
If civil war breaks out again, it is the poorest and most vulnerable members of Lebanese society who will suffer the most, just as they suffer the most from the effects of foreign invasion.
The poor will continue on a knife edge of poor security and uncertain development prospects as long as the future direction of Lebanon is set by unaccountable, armed strongmen and their militias.
Peace, justice and decent life prospects depend on all Lebanese having some influence on the local, national and international decision-making that affects their lives, says the agency.
Grassrotts organisations are working hard to help men women and children rebuild their lives and livelihoods, using money raised through Christian Aid’s Middle East appeal and other backers.
Mouvement Social is focusing on getting children back to school. Children are also most vulnerable to psychological problems after conflict and so the 104,790 US dollars recently given by Christian Aid will also help fund psychosocial support children for the next year.
In south Lebanon, Beirut and the Beqaa valley near Syria, the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU) is working with fifty disabled people and their families on livelihood rehabilitation and support, with 103,600 US dollars also recently provided by the agency.
LPHU is one of the few organisations to defend the rights of disabled people in Lebanon and has had a successful track record of influencing government policy on this issue.
Christian Aid has also given a new grant of 80,000 US dollras to a rehabilitation project in the Beqaa valley which is helping families protect their homes as winter arrives. The Developing Processes Lebanon carried out damage assessment of homes and businesses before people returned to their villages and is now helping them carry out minor repairs on around 110 homes to keep them warm as the cold comes.
The Christian Aid Middle East Appeal raised a total of £1.5 million and is still open.