Beekeeping as a lifeline in Lebanon
The attacks on Lebanon have severely affected access to food. Over the past month, the prices of several food items have risen by as much as 20 percent. Philippe Abboud (35) hopes that the bees in his garden…
Lebanon: Civilians Pay the Highest Price
Even if the ceasefires between Iran, US and Israel still officially holds, fighting continues in Lebanon — and innocent civilians are once again bearing the weight of suffering, fear and displacement.
Just before Israel's massive attack on Beirut on 8 April, in which several hundreds of people were killed, our staff were carrying out distributions of basic assistance in collective shelters located in the affected areas. The strikes came without prior warning in densely populated areas of Beirut, with 100 airstrikes across the country within a time period of 10 minutes. These are the most brutal attacks on Beirut and Lebanon since the war between Hezbollah and Israel broke out at the beginning of March this year.
Since the hostilities started in Lebanon at the beginning of March, Norwegian Church Aid's team on the ground has worked without pause to alleviate the suffering of internally displaced people living in collective emergency shelters. In the highly tense and unresolved situation following Israel's latest massive assault, we have placed our planned activities on hold for the coming days, but will resume our work in the hardest-hit areas as soon as this becomes possible.
"Civilians in Lebanon are paying the price for a conflict they did not choose. Homes, water supplies and health services have been put out of action — and it is the most vulnerable who are hit hardest. All parties are obligated to protect civilian infrastructure and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid. That obligation must be upheld," says Country Director for Lebanon and Syria, Håvard Hovdhaugen.
So far, our response has reached people in extremely challenging situations:
- 62,000+ litres of safe drinking water distributed
- 175,000 litres of water delivered by tanker truck to emergency shelters
- Over 7,000 litres of diesel for heating
- Assistance delivered to more than 25 collective emergency shelters in Beirut and Mount Lebanon
"Needs are growing, and we are now scaling up our response through local partners to reach even more people — including families in southern and northern Lebanon experiencing increasing displacement and hardship. But we cannot do this alone and without funding. Donors and governments must contribute now," says Hovdhaugen.
Behind these figures are families who have lost their sense of safety, children spending their nights in overcrowded emergency shelters, and/or on the streets, and communities struggling with persistent uncertainty.
Norwegian Church Aid continues to deliver life-saving assistance, upholds human dignity, and works side by side with local partners where needs are greatest.
Read more about our work in Lebanon
Lebanon: Civilians Pay the Highest Price
Even if the ceasefires between Iran, US and Israel still officially holds, fighting continues in Lebanon — and innocent civilians are once again bearing the weight of suffering, fear and displacement.
Grows hope in wartime
Becoming self-sufficient has never been more important. While bombs fall over Lebanon and food prices skyrocket, farmer Rabiha Mohammad Harmouch continue to grow food for her family and community. However,…