Integral has launched a joint Disaster Response for the impact of Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon. Nineteen Integral Members[1] are responding together to this crisis, combining their strengths to serve affected communities better.
More than 700,000 people have registered as internally displaced following intensive airstrikes launched by Israel across Beirut’s southern suburbs, South Lebanon and the Bekaa valley. As of 9 March, at least 294 people have been killed. [Source here]. Lebanon is already host to approximately 1.3 million Syrian refugees alongside several thousand refugees of other nationalities [Source here].
Integral Members and their Partners have been working with displaced people in the affected areas for more than 13 years. Since the recent escalation of the conflict Integral Members are responding to new needs with a range of support, including distributions of essential household items, food, cash and medical supplies. Integral Members are also providing shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, and mental health and psychosocial support. Integral Members are sharing communications material which enable fundraising campaigns to be launched in Members headquarter countries.
Integral Member MERATH is based in Lebanon. Lucas Shindeldecker, MERATH’S Director says: “Airstrikes and evacuation warnings have forced hundreds of thousands of people across Lebanon into displacement in a matter of days. Through our local partner churches across the country, we are already supporting displaced families with essential supplies thanks to pre-positioned aid made possible by Integral Members and other Partners. We are grateful for this continued support which allows us to respond quickly and stand with families in their time of greatest need.”
Kirollos Fares, Medair Country Director in Lebanon, says: “Medair is scaling up across Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekaa Valley, and the South—assessing shelters and having so far distributed over 79,000 essential relief items, like mattresses and blankets, to 25,595 displaced people. Mobile health units, trained volunteers and midwives deliver Psychological First Aid while reducing distress and enabling specialist referrals.”
Kirollos continues “Facing the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, our membership in Integral Alliance strengthens our on-the-ground intervention as a Christian NGO. We pool expertise, resources, and networks with over twenty organisations sharing our values. These synergies go beyond material aid to embody a lasting Christian commitment to the most vulnerable. Together, we carry a message of unity and hope.”
In the initial stages of an Integral response, operational and communications coordination calls are held as frequently as necessary, so that Members can share information in the critical phase when needs are acute. The Integral online platform enables Members to share photos and stories, response plans and funding needs.
Integral is a global alliance of 22 Christian relief and development agencies that come together to respond in times of disaster. We believe we can serve people better by uniting our collective reach, funding and expertise.
[1] CEDAR Fund (Hong Kong), Ena (Switzerland), Integra (Slovakia), International Health Partners (UK), LM International (Sweden), Medair (Switzerland), MERATH (Lebanon), Mission East (Denmark), SEL (France), Tearfund Australia, Tearfund Belgium, Tearfund Ireland, Tearfund Netherlands, Tearfund New Zealand, Tearfund (UK), Transform Aid (Australia), World Relief (US), World Renew (North America), ZOA (Netherlands)