Appeal to support emergency medical
relief work of the YMCA of Lebanon
The World Alliance of YMCAs is very
concerned about the recent escalation of armed confrontation, first in
Gaza and, for the last twelve days, between Israel and Hezbollah fighters
in Lebanon. Earlier this month at the 16th World Council of YMCAs in South
Africa, Dr. Bart Shaha, the Secretary General of the World Alliance, voiced
that "the world YMCA movement meets at a time when the human soul
is desperately crying for peace, crying for peace amidst war, grinding
poverty of millions and the massive destruction of this planet earth."
The Middle East presents a tragic illustration of the despair and destruction
that is caused by the continued attempts to solve conflicts through violence.
The World Alliance of YMCAs is deeply concerned for those caught in the crossfire and reaffirms its belief that a real and enduring peace for all people in the Middle East will come only from a rejection of violence and through a framework for regional and shared security.
In Lebanon, the escalation of the conflict has created enormous destruction and brought the country to a humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates there are 500,000 civilians in Lebanon trying to flee from the aerial attacks on their land and homes, but who have nowhere to go, while foreign passport holders are being evacuated by their respective governments. Many of the refugees have moved into makeshift shelters including school gymnasiums, churches, mosques and anywhere they can find shelter enough to protect them until this situation is resolved. The damage to the country's infrastructure has been catastrophic for the transportation and delivery of supplies - including medical supplies - to the places where they are needed most.
Since the end of the civil war in 1990, the Lebanon YMCA has expanded its Medical Assistance Program (MAP) to provide medicines to the chronically ill through an extensive countrywide network of some 450 dispensaries. As Lebanon enters into another unpleasant chapter of its political life, there is an increasing need once again to address the growing humanitarian crisis throughout the country.
Together with the YMCA of Lebanon, the World Alliance of YMCAs appeals to all YMCAs and partners of Lebanon YMCA for assistance in supplying both medication, basic supplies and funds to assist those in need, until there is a solution to the problem at hand.
The World Alliance has been able to send an advance sum of 5,000 US dollars to Lebanan YMCA today and Y Care International has pledged 10,000 pounds, which has also been sent immediately.