8 July 2013

Caritas pledges $100,000 to Syrian refugees in Lebanon

As the war in Syria deepens and people continue to flee across borders, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has pledged NZ$100,000 towards supporting refugees in Lebanon. Donations continue to be accepted from the public.

The funds will contribute to a third phase of support by the international Caritas network to refugees from Syria, regardless of race or religion, and their Lebanese hosts – often strained beyond their capacity to give.

‘More than two years have passed since the uprising in Syria began and the conflict continues to worsen, with no end in sight. Fighting has intensified in many areas,’ says Caritas Humanitarian Programmes Officer Mark Mitchell. ‘An estimated 100,000 people have been killed, and more than four million internally displaced.’ Registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon number more than 517,000, but the actual figure is thought to be more than double this.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has already contributed $4785 towards earlier support to Caritas Lebanon, which has assisted 16,725 families with food, shelter, and basic medical care since the crisis began in 2011.

‘With continuing political instability and violence in sight, more and more refugees continue to flood across the Lebanese borders and Caritas Lebanon staff witness huge gaps in terms of assistance,’ says Mr Mitchell.

The latest contributions from New Zealand will continue to support relief supplies and much needed health care, including mobile clinics.

Caritas Lebanon is providing aid and care to Syrian refugees wherever they can find space and shelter – often in makeshift and unhealthy conditions, such as crammed apartments, tents and shanty villages. Caritas staff report 25 people living in a cowshed that the owner wants back in 15 days to make room for her cows again. In the Bekaa valley, 120 Syrians shelter in a half-built apartment block, with exposed metal rods sticking out and elderly couples sleeping on balconies with nothing to stop them rolling off.

Caritas Lebanon President Fr Simon Faddoul says the organisation is standing by Syrian refugees in all their needs. ‘People don’t just need material aid, they also need affection. Our Caritas workers listen to their pain and that regenerates hope in them.’

‘The Syria crisis has been one of the most difficult tasks we have ever faced. But I’m amazed by the resilience of the Syrian refugees,’ he said. ‘Their unrelenting human spirit gives hope back to us.’

Donations to Caritas can be made by:

Phoning 0800 22 10 22 to make credit card donations or
Donating online using a credit card at www.caritas.org.nz or
Posting to Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.

ENDS.

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