Mennonite
Central
Committee

As humanitarian crisis deepens in Lebanon, MCC increases response

Gladys Terichow
August 2, 2006

In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is increasing its financial assistance to help people who have been displaced by the war.

MCC’s emergency response in Lebanon and Gaza has been increased by $112,700 Cdn/$100,000 U.S. to $187,000 Cdn/$166,000 U.S., said Rick Janzen, a director of Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) programs in Middle East and Europe.

About 250,000 Lebanese have found refuge in other countries, said Janzen. More than 750,000 displaced people are living in parks, churches and schools. Many people, unable to escape, live amidst the rubble of their bombed towns and villages.

In addition to dealing with the loss of homes, villages, businesses, farms, bridges, roads and airports, people in Lebanon are dealing with the ultimate grief—the death of family and friends.

A report issued August 2 by the Lebanese Higher Relief Committee -- a government agency coordinating response to the crisis -- reports 887 deaths and 2,890 injured.

Deaths, injuries and destruction are also continuing in Gaza. The Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem reports that 141 people, including 30 children were killed in Gaza the last three weeks. Seventy-six homes were demolished.

"The implications are long term and far-reaching," said Janzen. "Even if the shootings and bombings stopped today the effects will last for years."

The massive damage to bridges and roads have left entire communities in south Lebanon inaccessible. This damage, said Janzen, poses long term challenges for the people, as well as for MCC and other humanitarian agencies.

MCC’s emergency relief efforts in Lebanon are being coordinated by Bassam Chamoun, a local staff member who has worked for MCC since 1985. MCC’s country directors, Ken and Kass Seitz, were scheduled for a home leave and left Lebanon in July as part of the evacuation of U.S. citizens.

MCC works closely with other organizations to support displaced people in Lebanon. One of these organizations is the Development for People and Nature Association (DPNA), an organization that supports children, adolescents, youth, women and people with special needs.

"After three weeks of the Israel attack on Lebanon, the displaced people from all over the south are still coming to Saida where the density of population reached the maximum," states a report from DPNA sent August 1.

“The whole situation is getting complicated. Day after day the needs are increasing on all levels. DPNA is responsible now for three centers where more than 3,000 people are living. In addition we are trying our best to serve the displaced people in other centers at Saida, Jezine and the surrounding villages.”

With assistance from MCC and other agencies DPNA has distributed food, milk, diapers, mattresses, cleaning supplies and practical assistance, such as wheelchairs, canes and hearing equipment, for people with special needs.

MCC also works with the Middle East Council of Churches, which is a member of the global alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT).