As the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen, the Emergency Coordination of the Focolare Movement, AMU and AFN confirm their closeness to the affected populations and continue to work to alleviate the many sufferings by trying to offer, to the extent possible, what is necessary to survive and return to a dignified life.
Since last October, the dramatic events that occurred in the Holy Land first, and in Lebanon more recently, have been asking us what we can do to make our small contribution to alleviate the terrible consequences. In this sense, since the end of September 2024 our commitment has extended to neighboring Lebanon , where the Mariapoli La Sorgente Center – located in Ain Aar, 20 kilometers north of Beirut – has opened its doors to displaced people, fleeing the bombs that are devastating the south of the country. UNICEF reports that according to the Ministry of Public Health, as of September 25, nearly 600 people have been killed in Lebanon, including more than 50 children and 94 women, and approximately 1,700 others have been injured since September 23. Mass displacement continues, reaching approximately 201,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). AgenSir As AMU and AFN continue our aid in the Holy Land, in support of Caritas and the Latin Patriarchate. The first, as foreseen by its contingency plan, will cover the supply of food to 240 families (about 1000 people) present in Gaza. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has two main activities on the ground: financial support for families and hospitality at the only two Christian churches left standing in Gaza. One of the major challenges for maintaining the structures is the lack of electricity. Today they have about an hour of electricity a day, which makes it virtually impossible to preserve perishable food. Our contribution will go to support the supply of water, food, medicines and hygiene kits. With the Patriarchate team, basic ingredients will be purchased (rice, spaghetti, broad beans, chickpeas, lentils, red beans, etc.), and shared meals will be cooked, which will then be distributed to the 650 people who are there. Despite the complexity of the situation, we want to stay close to the affected communities and continue working to give hope to people. We believe every drop counts.