Bombs are forcing Lebanese civilians to flee their homes. In 72 hours alone, some 90,000 people fled their homes across the border into Syria; others have seen their homes reduced to ashes by the attacks.
MARIELLE BOUTROS
Aid to the Church in Need (Lebanon)
Displaced people are now a large number in Lebanon. They are mainly welcomed in parish halls, churches and schools. Dioceses and congregations are on alert. They are providing shelter, food, mattresses, sanitary products and other basic necessities.
But this capacity is limited. That's where Aid to the Church in Need comes in. The have given almost $300,000 to support close to 3,200 Christian families in three dioceses with food and basic necessities.
The Lebanese people, moreover, have lost their income. Most of them are farmers or work on the land. They depend on olive or tobacco plantations. Others are engaged in commerce. Their life's work has come to a complete standstill because of the war.
Many also refuse to flee, as is the story of the couple that Marielle Boutros, head of Aid to the Church in Need projects in Lebanon, spoke about.
MARIELLE BOUTROS
Aid to the Church in Need (Lebanon)
They are afraid for their houses and properties. And they repeat that if they lose this, if they lose these properties, this time they will not be able to rebuild their life, because they lost their money in the banking crisis and now they are both retired. So the feeling that they are willing to endure whatever fate this war may bring them, but not to run away again and have to rebuild their house again and again, is really touching to me.
There are 18 religious denominations in Lebanon, the majority of which are Christian and Muslim. Their coexistence even extends to politics. Both must be represented at 50% of the seats in the Parliament.
TR: JD
