Pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need has announced an international emergency campaign to raise at least 1 million Euro ($1.6 million) to assist the Church in Lebanon, as it strives to cope with the tremendous challenges caused by Israeli airstrikes and ground assault.
The attacks, which are aimed at eliminating the threat of Hezbollah strikes on northern Israel, have caused a wave of more than one million internally displaced people in various parts of the country, with the regions of Beirut, Mount Lebanon and northern Lebanon suffering the brunt of the difficulties caused by the influx of people fleeing the south.
Christians have been directly affected by the attacks and the Church is struggling to help all those who have had to flee their homes for safer regions.
The Church has sprung into action, opening its facilities, including parish halls and retreat houses, to all those fleeing the most dangerous areas. These facilities are available to all, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation.
ACN has already reached out to the seven dioceses and five religious congregations that are most directly involved in relief efforts, and is now trying to raise the money required to address their needs, which in most cases include food, sanitary products, mattresses and covers, medication, and other essentials.
“Lebanon has been going from crisis to crisis over the past decades, suffering from political instability, an influx of refugees from regional wars, an economic meltdown, the Beirut Port explosion which levelled large parts of the city, and now these attacks from Israel,” said Regina Lynch, the executive president of ACN International.
“ACN has stood by our project partners in Lebanon, and we will not abandon them now, as they face another hour of need.”
This emergency appeal comes after ACN Australia launched an urgent plea for donations to meet a surge in aid requests.
The pontifical foundation, which provides critical support to persecuted, poor and suffering Christians, has received a record 7689 applications for pastoral support over the past year.
ACN Australia and New Zealand national director Bernard Toutounji has urged the community to contribute whatever they can to support fellow Christians where the faith is critically at stake.
To donate to Christians in Lebanon, visit www.aidtochurch.org/lebanon.
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Aid to the Church in Need announces emergency campaign to help the Church face crisis in Lebanon (ACN)
