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ACN starts campaign to help the displaced in Lebanon

Aid to the Church in Need announced an emergency campaign. It's goal is to raise one million USD to help the Church in Lebanon fight the ever more deepening humanitarian crisis.

The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) announced a major emergency campaign to help the Church in Lebanon as the Israel-Hezbollah war escalates further. The goal of ACN is to raise one million USD and, in cooperation with the local churches, help to ease the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

According to the UN, around 700,000 civilians had to leave their homes in Lebanon and became internally displaced because of the ongoing conflict. The majority of them are from the most affected southern region of the country and sought shelter in other parts, mainly Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Northern Lebanon. In the affected areas, local churches were among the first to help the displaced regardless of ethnic and religious background.

However, the local churches are not able to address all the needs of the people and are in desperate need of help. With the funds raised, ACN plans to help local church communities provide food, medicine, education, and other assistance for displaced families. Before starting to campaign, ACN already reached out to several dioceses and congregations in Lebanon to get a clear picture of the situation and to know which are the most dire needs that have to be fulfilled.

Even though many Christians left the southern parts, a large number are still there. The majority of these people are farmers, who lost their livelihood and are in grave need of help. In many cases, the families separated so the women and children could go to safer areas, and the men stayed behind to prevent property theft. Catholic charities  provided aid in forms of food and medical care for more than 1,200 people who decided to stay in their homes despite the grave danger that the escalation of the conflict exposes.

Source: Vatican News

Photo: Embrace the Middle East

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