Faced with the recent escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has significantly increased its aid to the country. Currently, the focus is on the development of healthcare infrastructure, support for IDPs, and concrete aid for the regions worst affected by the attacks.

One of the goals is the establishment of new medical support centers in the south of the country, which is in crisis. In partnership with the Maronite Catholic Church, ACN plans to take advantage of pre-existing infrastructure to establish a medical center in Qlayaa. The Christian-majority town is located only a few miles from the Israeli border and used to be ministered to by Fr. Pierre el-Raï, who was killed in an attack on March 9.

Aid for wounded urgently needed

Qlayaa already has volunteers and medical personnel, but suffers from a lack of medication, equipment, and money. This is where ACN’s help comes in. The organization wants to cover the salaries of medical staff and provide medication and necessary hardware — all this against the backdrop of the dramatic experiences of the past weeks, during which many people succumbed to their injuries because of lack of emergency medical attention.

At the same time, the foundation has launched new emergency aid projects for displaced people, and will be providing food and basic goods to around 1,500 IDPs in the Maronite eparchy of Sidon, in southeast Lebanon.

In another project, around 8,000 people who were forced to leave their homes because of the fighting are benefiting from aid in the region of Baalbek, in the Bekaa valley. Both these initiatives, which are in the final stages of planning, are being implemented with the assistance of partners from the local Church.

Emergency shelters in churches, monasteries

Aid is being provided through a wide range of Church organizations: parishes, diocesan institutions, and monasteries have been taking in the displaced and are coordinating care and shelter. Many people are living in Church buildings, with host families or in rented apartments. The Church provides assistance to all those in need, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Provisions in Lebanon are also becoming dramatically scarce. Besides difficulties in purchasing food, fuel shortages are also becoming a serious problem, since many infrastructures depend on generators because of constant electricity cuts. ACN is also preparing additional support in this field.

Aid for child refugees

Besides providing emergency support, Aid to the Church in Need has also been responding to the specific requirements of children and families. A project in the works will distribute packages that include games and Bibles. These are aimed at helping children better process their experiences of flight and violence, and at helping families to face these exceptional situations.

Current measures are based on the foundations of a long-term relationship between ACN and the Church in Lebanon. During the escalation of violence due to the war in Gaza, ACN provided over $4 million for 72 projects, including support for schools, food, medical care, and trauma support. Given the current situation, local partners are now expecting even greater demand for help.

“We remain”

The foundation’s work in Lebanon has been marked by its long-term focus. “Our strength lies in the fact that we remain,” say local ACN coordinators. Many ongoing projects – such as support for Catholic schools or pastoral projects for psychological support – are already considered emergency aid and will continue in the current context.

Meanwhile, the situation in Lebanon continues to be tense. The displaced are spread out all over the country and the number of people requiring aid is in constant flux. This makes it even more important to keep up a steady flow of coordination with local partners and other aid agencies.

Two things, however, are clear: The Church continues to be the main contact point for many people, and ACN support will continue despite the difficult conditions.