Osnabrück, October 1, 2024 - The children's rights organization Terre des Hommes is deeply concerned about the safety of the civilian population in Lebanon, as well as the staff and children in its projects. Two of the community centers where the Terre des Hommes partner organization FEMALE implements projects for girls have already been hit by bombs: The center in the town of Deir el Zahrani in southern Lebanon was completely destroyed. The center in the Bekaa Valley in the east was severely damaged.
Up to one million people in Lebanon are fleeing the escalating violence. According to the UN, more than 100,000 people have already crossed the border into Syria.
"The refugees are dependent on emergency shelters," says Joshua Hofert, spokesperson for the board of Terre des Hommes . "That's why the remaining community centers in Beirut and Tripoli have been converted: FEMALE is providing urgently needed assistance to children and their families there." Not only will they be given a safe haven, but they will also be provided with food, clean water, hygiene items, and medicine. Terre des Hommes to provide aid to the refugees in Syria. Donations are urgently needed."
The war in Lebanon has escalated further in recent days. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, over 1,500 people have been killed since the fighting broke out between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, including more than 100 children. Over 8,000 people have been injured.
"People are very afraid because they know from the situation in Gaza that the warring parties are willing to accept many civilian casualties in order to achieve military goals," said Joshua Hofert. "The concern that there will be numerous civilian casualties in Lebanon as a result of attacks on Hezbollah is shared by all our partners in Lebanon. This military logic must stop: children, women, and all civilians must be urgently protected."
The Terre des Hommes appeal for donations can be found here: Help children in Lebanon !
For further information and interviews: Henriette Hänsch, email: h.haensch@remove-this.tdh.de phone: +49 541 7101 146