Lebanese civilians residing in so-called “safer areas”, have mobilized themselves, volunteering to assist and offer all kinds of help to the displaced, hoping to receive rapid aid from local or international organizations.
The MECC emergency team has been meeting with different Government institutions, UN agencies and local and international NGOs for coordination and collaboration purposes. They report that churches in Lebanon and their related organizations have opened their doors to assist the displaced and are responding to needs within their means. A survey of the situation of church-related schools and centers that have received the internally displaced in the different regions of Lebanon was initiated by the MECC/ICNDR and is underway. The information will be shared as soon as available.
MECC also reports that the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch has opened its monasteries of St. Mary of Saydnaya, St. Takla in Maalula and St. Paul in Tal-Kokab in Syria for the Lebanese population who have fled the war.
MECC has stated that the most concerning issue is the lack of safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid to the affected population as communication and transport routes between the different Lebanese regions are hindered. UN agencies have been advocating for the opening of humanitarian corridors but they have not yet materialized. MECC Associate General Secretary Mr. Samer Lahham will be meeting with Solidarity (NGO) in Greece to coordinate the shipping of humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Syria.
The Kykkos Monastery in Cyprus is preparing to ship humanitarian assistance, offered on behalf of the Church of Cyprus and the Government, that will be sent once the safe humanitarian corridor is opened. |
