Call for support from Kildare for people fleeing homes across Lebanon

Request from coalition of Irish aid charities

A coalition of Irish aid charities are calling on the people of Kildare to support the one million people fleeing their homes across Lebanon. 

Members of the Irish Emergency Alliance and their local partners are doing all they can to help the huge numbers displaced by the intense bombardment in Lebanon in recent days, this will include supporting emergency medical services as well as providing food, mattresses and blankets at some of the schools now being used as shelters.  

Julie Mehigan, Head of Middle East for Christian Aid, said: “This is a terrifying time for Lebanon. People are in shock at the number of civilians killed. Nobody knows when the next Israeli air strike will happen or where will be hit. Our local partners in Lebanon have told us that after witnessing the failure to stop the huge numbers killed in Gaza that they fear that they will soon face the same fate.”

Rachel Challita, Plan International Lebanon,  said: “Overnight more people have been forced to flee their homes - stuck in their cars overnight with their children whilst they desperately looking for a safer place.”

Caoimhe de Barra, CEO of Trócaire, said: "The ground invasion by Israel into Lebanon amidst ongoing bombing means that more people will be displaced adding to the 1 million people who have already left their homes in Lebanon in the last two weeks seeking safety. The Irish Emergency Alliance is on the ground with our partners providing access to food, shelter and medical assistance.  We are asking the people of Kildare  to support our work so we can help people in Lebanon and in Gaza who are living with the nightmare of war."

The Irish Emergency Alliance members - ActionAid, Christian Aid, Plan International, Tearfund Ireland, Trócaire and World Vision – have launched a joint appeal to raise funds to support people impacted by the connected crises in Gaza, West Bank and now Lebanon. Any money raised from Kildare donors will help people in need of shelter and support in Lebanon as well as to continue to act as a lifeline in Gaza by helping to pay for medical equipment and basic necessities such as ingredients and fuel needed to cook hot meals for thousands living in shelters. For nearly a year the people of Gaza have faced continual Israeli military bombardment. More than 41,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 100,000 have been injured. Over a million people – more than half the population of Gaza - are struggling to access enough food to survive and nearly half a million people are on the brink of starvation. 

Please donate at www.irishemergencyalliance.org or by calling 1 800 939 979.