The situation in Lebanon is critical and people need immediate help. According to the Government of Lebanon, over one million people have been displaced due to the Israeli airstrikes. The catastrophic attacks targeted densely populated cities, and the need for humanitarian assistance is increasing rapidly.
"More than 70% of collective shelters have reached their maximum capacity, forcing people to spend the night on the streets, in cars and at bus stops. For many, it is yet another time they are forced to flee," said Eero Janson, Director of the Estonian Refugee Council.
Estonian Refugee Council is collecting donations to support people affected by the hostilities with emergency response. Donations can be made on the Estonian Refugee Council’s website. Every donation helps provide critical assistance to those who desperately need it.
In cooperation with the local organisation Nusaned, Estonian Refugee Council supports displaced people with cash for shelter assistance, helping them secure safe and stable housing in the face of crisis.
Today marks one year from Hamas’s attacks on Israel, followed by Israel’s invasion of Gaza, and attacks on Lebanon and the West Bank. Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed, millions have been forced to flee their homes, living amidst war and destruction.
On September 23, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Lebanon, attacking dozens of towns with airstrikes. Lebanon is among the largest refugee hosting countries in the world, providing refuge to approximately 1.5 million Syrians and 200,000 Palestinians. Even before the recent attacks, the people in Lebanon were already grappling with significant challenges. According to the World Bank, 44% of the total population in Lebanon are affected by poverty and hyperinflation has made basic goods and services unaffordable for many.
Estonian Refugee Council has worked in Lebanon since 2018.