The Humanitarian Coalition launches an urgent appeal for Lebanon – the Government of Canada will match donations – Lebanon

Ottawa, October 9, 2024 — As the humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to rapidly deteriorate – with more than 2,000 dead, more than 9,800 injured and an estimated one million people fleeing violence – the Humanitarian Coalition, made up of twelve of Canada’s largest aid agencies, has an urgent appeal for donations to respond to escalating humanitarian needs. Today, the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that the Government of Canada will match up to $3 million in individual donations to the Humanitarian Coalition and its twelve member organizations. Donations made between September 24 and November 3 will be eligible for the competition.

“We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Lebanon, which continues to endanger the lives of civilians,” said Richard Morgan, executive director of the Humanitarian Coalition. “Many of our member organizations have been working in Lebanon for decades and are already providing lifesaving essentials – including food, water, shelter, medicine and healthcare. But the scale of this emergency is catastrophic. The humanitarian needs are enormous. We appeal to the generosity of Canadians to support the appeal so we can continue to reach children and families with lifesaving support.”

The Humanitarian Coalition stressed that it is united in its call for a ceasefire, along with a call on all parties to the conflict to adhere to International Humanitarian Law, protect the lives of civilians and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches people in need as quickly as possible. The Humanitarian Coalition also noted that there are no unmet humanitarian needs in Israel that require their response at this time, but they will continue to monitor the situation.

Humanitarian situation in Lebanon

• To date, 2,083 people have been killed, 9,869 people have been injured (including 690 children) and an estimated one million people have been directly affected or displaced.
• The intense military escalation has led to mass displacement, mainly from southern Lebanon and the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut.
• The entire population suffers psychological consequences and protection concerns from the constant daily overflights of drones and jets.
• Most of the displaced people are in urgent need of assistance as they have had to quickly flee their homes without the basic necessities they need for daily life.
• The 978 reception centers are almost full: schools, gymnasiums and cultural centers that have been urgently converted into housing. Many displaced people are currently sleeping in streets and parks in Beirut, and their conditions are becoming increasingly precarious. Increasingly cold weather is expected to further complicate shelter issues.
• Displacement from Lebanon to Syria has also been reported. An estimated 285,000 people have entered Syria since September 23; the majority are women, children and people with disabilities.
• Lebanese and 70% are Syrians who are crossing back. An estimated 60% of these people are children. Before the current escalation, poverty in Lebanon had more than tripled in the past decade, reaching 44% of the total population.
• Lebanon (5.4 million people) hosts more refugees (1.5 million) per capita than any other country in the world. Nine out of ten refugees in Lebanon live in extreme poverty.

How members of the Humanitarian Coalition are responding

Our members have been present in Lebanon for decades (and responded in 2020 after the Beirut explosion) and are now responding with the following preliminary interventions:

• Emergency food aid: Addressing food shortages by providing food parcels containing meat, dates, bread, etc. Also facilitating access to clean water through water bottles and water trucks.
• Shelter & warmth: Hand out, pillows, blankets and other shelter items.
• Emergency packages: Distributing hygiene kits, dignity kits, menstrual health management kits.
• Medical support: Support healthcare clinics and mobile units to continue providing emergency services, maternal and newborn care, immunization, mobility aids, emergency rehabilitation and psychological first aid and support.
• Protection: Providing services to prevent gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse. Also setting up child protection areas and assisting with family reunification.
• Emergency cash assistance: Providing cash to enable families to get what they need most urgently and in the right way, and to support local markets.

The Humanitarian Coalition brings together 12 leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to help during major international humanitarian emergencies. Its members are Action Against Hunger, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, CARE Canada, Doctors of the World, Humanity & Inclusion Canada, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan International Canada, Save the Children Canada and Wereldvisie Canada.

Canadians can provide assistance to those affected by the emergency in Lebanon by donating at www.samen.ca or by calling 1-855-461-2154.

For more information or to request an interview:

Bob Neufeld
[email protected]
905-441-2640

Tiffany Baggetta
[email protected]
647-517-4563