Christian Aid: Lebanon on the brink of a 'humanitarian calamity'

Source: Christian Aid

The international development agency Christian Aid has warned Lebanon is on the "precipice of a humanitarian calamity" as Israeli armed forces prepare for a ground invasion.

Julie Mehigan Head of Asia, Middle East & Europe for Christian Aid said: "We are gravely concerned about the possibility of an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon.

"The patterns we're seeing from the attacks of the last few days are reminiscent of what we've seen in Gaza these last few months. Massive displacement and killing of civilians, whole families killed in their homes and schools converted into shelters. All the while Gaza is continually being bombed from land, air and sea.

"We are on the precipice of yet another humanitarian calamity in the region."

More than 500 civilians have been killed in Lebanon from Israeli air strikes over the last week and the UN has said more than 90,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced.

Christian Aid is providing emergency funding to its local partners to reallocate already over-stretched resources to help these new waves of displaced people in need of food and essentials. The charity is also supporting emergency medical services and primary health centres at risk of being overwhelmed by the numbers injured.

LINK

Christian Aid: www.christianaid.org.uk/