According to Asia News, Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi yesterday announced that the Maronite Church, alarmed by rising poverty in the Lebanese population, will undertake an ambitious country-wide plan to provide food and social assistance to families without income as a result of the current economic crisis.

Various social or socio-political associations and organisations will be part of the effort. They will be joined by donors, acting without intermediaries who will be making contributions to charities, parish fraternities, apostolic communities, and various associations, municipalities and collective initiatives.

The Patriarch noted that Lebanon’s Maronite Church is helping about 33,456 people at a cost of 71,585 billion Lebanese pounds — about two million US dollars.

In addition, its educational, hospital and social institutions are providing employment opportunities for 18,870 families, with an overall annual payroll of 430.73 billion Lebanese pounds (US$ 283.8 million) with an average monthly salary of US$ 253, Asia News noted.

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