Ottawa, 4 November 2024 – In light of the significant humanitarian needs, the Government of Canada announced an extension to their matching deadline for the Humanitarian Coalition’s Lebanon Emergency Appeal. They will now be matching donations made by individual Canadians until November 17.
“We’re grateful to hear that Canada is continuing to highlight the growing and extensive humanitarian needs in Lebanon. Our members are responding to this crisis with life-saving support across the country,” said Richard Morgan, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Coalition. “With November being Lebanese Heritage Month, we know that more Canadians are looking for ways to support this response.”
The Humanitarian Coalition emphasized that it is united in its call for a ceasefire, along with a call for all sides in the conflict to adhere to International Humanitarian Law, protect civilian lives, and allow humanitarian aid to reach those 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, 2,867 people have been killed and 13,047 have been injured since 8 October 2023. This includes 178 children killed and 1,173 injured among total casualties reported (MoPH).
There have been 36 attacks on healthcare facilities, with 85 health workers killed and 51 injured while on duty, between 17 September and 31 October 2024 (WHO).
UNFPA reports that the intensified conflict in Lebanon has affected more than 11,000 pregnant women, with 1,300 expected to give birth imminently despite massive infrastructure losses and a health system on the edge.
Since 4 October 2024, at least one child has been killed and 10 injured daily in Lebanon.
To date, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced by this conflict. Of those 840,000 have been displaced internally and 469,000 have crossed into Syria.
Most displaced people require urgent assistance, having had to flee their homes rapidly without the basic items they need for daily life.
The entire population is suffering from psychological impacts and protection concerns from the constant daily fly-by of drones and jets.
There are 1,133 accredited shelters and 957 of those are at full capacity. Schools, gymnasiums, and cultural centers have been urgently converted into accommodation.
Many displaced people are currently sleeping in streets and parks and their conditions are becoming increasingly precarious. The progressively colder weather is expected to further complicate shelter issues.
Prior to the current escalation, poverty in Lebanon had more than tripled over 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 are living in extreme poverty.
How Humanitarian Coalition members are responding:
Our members have been present in Lebanon for decades (and responded in 2020 after the Beirut blast) and are now responding with the following preliminary interventions:
Emergency food aid: Tackling food scarcity by providing food packs containing meat, dates, bread, etc. Also facilitating access to clean water via water bottles and water trucks.
Shelter & warmth: Distributing, pillows, blankets and other shelter items.
Emergency kits: Distributing hygiene kits, dignity kits, menstrual health management kits.
Medical support: Supporting healthcare clinics and mobile units to continue providing emergency services, maternal health 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 obtain what they need most urgently and appropriately 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 World Vision Canada.
Canadians can help provide assistance to people affected by the emergency in Lebanon by donating at www.together.ca or by calling 1-855-461-2154.
For more information or to request an interview:
Tiffany Baggetta
Tiffany.Baggetta@humanitariancoalition.ca
647-517-4563
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For media inquiries, contact us at 647-517-4563 or media@humanitariancoalition.ca
The Humanitarian Coalition (HC) brings together leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to donate during large-scale humanitarian emergencies. The HC also partners with Global Affairs Canada to enable its member agencies to respond to lesser-known small and medium-scale disasters.