Beirut. Hundreds of thousands people are fleeing their homes due to fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in Lebanon. With support from Malteser International, the Lebanese Order of Malta is distributing food, toys, and coloring books to children and providing medical care to those most in need in temporary refugee shelters. "The civilian population in Lebanon is virtually defenseless against the attacks. There are only a few publicly accessible air-raid shelters throughout the country and hardly any opportunities for civilians to seek safety," says Johannes Schildknecht, responsible for Lebanon at Malteser International.
Those seeking protection are mainly being housed with relatives, in schools, and other public facilities. Schools throughout the country have been completely shut down. Many have spent the past few nights sleeping in their cars. "It is also becoming increasingly difficult for humanitarian aid workers to help people. But no one knows how long support can continue, because there are hardly any safe areas left in the country. That means there are fewer and fewer opportunities for aid teams to reach people," says Schildknecht.
Malteser International has been supporting the people of Lebanon through the Lebanese Order of Malta since 2012. First and foremost, we help people in need through our health stations, mobile medical clinics, mobile food distribution points, and agricultural projects.
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Johannes Schildknecht, responsible for the Lebanon projects at Malteser International, is available for interviews and sound bites.
Contact: +49 (0)221 9822-7181, katharina.Kiecol@malteser-international.org
Malteser Hilfsdienst e. V.
IBAN: DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
S.W.I.F.T.: GENODED 1PA7
