Like the Good Samaritan, our mission is to save lives from all kinds of persecution, rejection, or neglect and to confirm them in God’s image, the Author of all Goodness.
LEBANON’S HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AMIDST ONGOING WAR
Together, we can stand in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and help them rebuild their lives amidst the turmoil.
As Lebanon continues to grapple with a devastating economic crisis that has persisted since 2019, the current conflict in south Lebanon has escalated to alarming levels. Following nearly a year of targeted warfare, recent developments have pushed the situation to a critical breaking point. The impacts of this war threaten not only the stability of the nation but also the survival of countless families who are already struggling to meet their basic needs.
Immediate Needs
To address the urgent humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable families, we are seeking support to provide essential food, medical assistance, shelter and education. Here is how you can help:
Food Aid:
• Need: Families at home and children in schools do not have enough to eat.
• Goal: Obtain food for immediate distribution to families and to children in schools across Lebanon. Secure and store additional food supplies in preparation for future needs arising from the conflict.
Medical Aid:
• Need: People have been injured as a result of the conflict, and they have ongoing urgent medical needs.
• Goal: Establish an Emergency Medical Relief Fund so that funds are on hand to immediately provide aid for medical assistance.
Aid with Shelter:
• Need: Thousands of families have been internally displaced.
• Goal: Secure tents, blankets, torches, mattresses, and first aid kits to distribute to families in need.
Aid for Students:
• Need: Children, whether internally displaced or local but without resources, lack basic essentials, such as clothing, and cannot go to school.
• Goal: Provide uniforms, winter clothing, socks and shoes for children so that they can attend school.
Current Situation
Up to now, more than 3000 strikes have devastated villages throughout southern Lebanon, the Beqaa region and Beirut, and future strikes are anticipated – with minimal or no warning – in villages and towns across the entire country. Tragically, these attacks have resulted in over 1500 deaths and more than 5000 injuries according to the Ministry of Health, with at least 50 children and 95 women included among the dead. An estimated 200,000 citizens, including many Christian families from villages such as Rashaya El Foukhar, Ain Ebel Qaouzah, and Rmeish, have been forced to flee their homes. Displaced families now seek refuge in Mount Lebanon, Beirut, and the northern regions, with no safe shelter available.
Hospitals in Byblos (Jbeil) are currently operating at full capacity. This is a challenging time for medical facilities and their staff as they work tirelessly to provide care under increased pressure.
In response to this escalating crisis, the Minister of Education has announced the urgent closure of all schools, repurposing them as temporary shelters for the displaced. This decision underscores the severity of the humanitarian emergency facing the nation.
Consequences Of The Crisis
The breakdown of social and economic structures in Lebanon poses dire threats to food and medical security. With the economy already in freefall for four years, the repercussions of this conflict exacerbate an already untenable situation.
Families who were struggling to survive now face the prospect of starvation and lack of medical care, leading to unsustainable consequences for public health and community stability.
This situation could lead to a significant influx of immigration, particularly among Christian families, ultimately resulting in profound and potentially devastating shifts in the country’s demographic landscape that will eventually once again diminish and threaten their existence and historical role.
Our Impact
Through the Mission of Hope and Mercy, you can provide this urgently needed aid to Christian families in Lebanon as they address this horrific crisis in their homeland. You can provide them with food, medication, and shelter. You can help keep as many schools open and students in their classes as possible. You can bring hope to the people of Lebanon.
The Mission receives support from many people of good will because the Mission has a history of responsible, effective and efficient use of funds. The Mission is on the ground in Halat, Lebanon where, from its Center for Blessings we will put your donation to good use to help restore stability, hope and peace to this country.
Since 2015, our Mission has assisted over 75 thousand adults and children. We have achieved this through our annual Food and Medical Aid Programs, Christmas Gift and Meal Campaigns, and Educational Assistance to an entire school with over 250 students, including over 105 Syrian refugee children. We have also completed essential Community Service Projects that have helped large groups of people in need. The Mission of Hope and Mercy has a record of success in delivering humanitarian aid in Lebanon.
Finally we have been advocates for the Christians in Lebanon, the Middle East, and many other places throughout the world. We have raised the awareness of public officials nationally and internationally in order to secure the rights of Christians everywhere to live freely, to be treated with dignity, and to experience safety and security in their lives, with equal rights, equal protections, and equal opportunities.
Lebanon is more than a country; it is a message of freedom and an example of pluralism for East and West.” (St. John Paul II, 1989). Please join us in saving Lebanon.
Please Help Us With Our Planned Programs for 2024
- $200,000 for FOOD
- To deliver food boxes to 4,500 families across Lebanon
- To provide food boxes each week for families to pick up from the Center for Blessings
- To secure and store food supplies for 1000 families in case of war or natural disaster
- $100,000 for MEDICINE
- To help cover surgeries and chronic illness and cancer medications for up to 25 patients
- to establish an urgent medical relief fund in case of war or natural disaster
- $200,000 for EDUCATION
- To assist Holy Family School for another year
- To adopt a second school for a year
- To provide support for individual students in need, divided between primary, secondary, and undergraduate students
- $50,000 for ADVOCACY
- To support the air time each week for two radio shows on KNUS and KLZ
- To provide for advocacy events and activities at the Center for Blessings in Lebanon
- $120,000 for ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES
- To provide aid for various community needs as they arise
- $67,000 for THE CENTER FOR BLESSINGS
- To enable the Center for Blessings to function as the site for the Mission’s charity and advocacy in Lebanon
- To provide infrastructure support for aid and advocacy programs
GRAND TOTAL: $737,000
Your Support Matters
Your continued support is crucial in ensuring that we can fulfill our mission and reach out to those in need. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities facing hardship and adversity.
We humbly request your generous donations to enable us to carry out these vital initiatives and provide assistance to those who rely on our support. Your contributions will directly impact the lives of those most in need and bring hope to those facing challenges beyond their control.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in our mission of compassion and mercy.
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St. Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy
For federal income purposes, St. Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible. The St. Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy EIN number is: 47-4855538
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