Ethiopian Woman Smiling at Camera

Photo: Nigist from an Ethiopian Self Help Group. Credit: Tearfund Canada

 

 

 

Praying for Lebanon

Tearfund Ireland
Praying for Lebanon

The massive blast that took place at the port of Beirut late in the afternoon August 4 left an important part of the city laying in apocalyptic ruin. The explosion was felt all the way to Cyprus. Many have died, thousands have been injured and a the scale of the damage is estimated to be into the billions.

‘Hope is a very rare commodity in my country today’ writes Dr Alia Abboud of LSESD, who visited Tearfund Ireland last year. ‘The recent devastating explosion was like nothing that we have ever experienced before. It was also the last straw for many Lebanese.’

This calamity could not have come at a worse time for a country on the brink of financial collapse and social implosion, while the number of coronavirus cases there have surged in recent days.

 

MERATH, the relief and development arm of LSESD, our partners in Lebanon, although affected themselves are assisting in the emergency response with food, hygiene supplies and shelter for those affected.  They have also been providing make-shift accommodation for many of the medical first responders.  As the effects of the disaster became more evident over the weekend our partners are among many local volunteers who have begun opening their homes to provide emergency shelter for some of the 300,000 people who made homeless by the blast.

 

Rehabilitation of homes, schools and other buildings will be a massive undertaking and needs to start as soon as possible. Schools were due to go back in just 3 weeks.  As you’re aware from media outlets, the international community is working on financial aid and other supports while the Lebanese people are expressing a collective frustration in the aftermath of the explosion.

 

 The following support is being provided:

  • Food Aid Support: hot meals for distribution to thousands of people in the affected areas; also food packs to families that will be given shelter. These will be supplemented soon as things settle down a bit - by food vouchers.
  • Basic needs: (hygiene items, mattresses, etc.)

Tearfund Ireland is responding to this crisis in Beirut through prayer and financial support to our partners in Lebanon who are already making an impact.  If you would like to donate to the Beirut Crisis please click here.

 

Coronavirus Response: Ethiopia update

Niamh Daly
Coronavirus Response: Ethiopia update

Tensions and unrest in ethiopia

We are in regular contact with our staff and partners in Ethiopia following unrest in the country this week. It is reported that nearly 200 people have been killed in violent clashes sparked by the killing on 29 June of popular musician Hachalu Hundessa who was from the Oromia region. Please pray for peace to be restored to this country which is facing multiple crises at this time.

 

 

 

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09/09/20 15:01

Beirut Explosion - latest update

We are so grateful for all the donations we have received in response to the blast in Beirut on August 4th – thank you. The explosion was the latest in a series of crises for the people of Lebanon, compounded by the surging of Covid-19 cases and a severe economic slump, further exacerbating urgent needs across the country. Our partner in Beirut met the lady above while distributing temporary shelter kits six days after the explosion. She said: "I’m 70, and I’m the youngest among my two other sisters. We live in a small house here. I don’t believe we are still alive. God loves Lebanon. With all the destruction and the force of the blast, we are still breathing, we can still see, hear, and understand what’s going on. I can still walk, although my leg is injured, my other sisters are up there, tired and in pain. I went out to bring some food home. We don’t have electricity and water, but they promised us to solve this issue soon Thank you for being here, you will help Beirut rise again. The young generation is our hope.” Photo: Young volunteers from churches across Beirut distribute warm meals to families who have lost their homes and help clean up the streets. Credit: MERATH Our partner in Beirut is providing temporary housing and specialised on-site medical care, food and trauma counselling. Food vouchers and ready meals are being distributed to people whose homes are no longer safe to cook or prepare meals in. Children who live close to the blast are being given an opportunity to play in a supervised space that has been cleared of debris. Activity kits have been prepared for them to relieve some of the pressure on their parents as they reorganise their lives. Elie Haddad, President of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) who is helping to lead the churches’ response in Lebanon shares: "If you go to Beirut today, you don’t have to look far to see the hands and feet of Jesus.” Cover Photo: 70-year lady in Beirut is grateful for surviving the blast and for the help she receives from young church volunteers. Credit: MERATH
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12/08/20 11:02

Praying for Lebanon

The massive blast that took place at the port of Beirut late in the afternoon August 4 left an important part of the city laying in apocalyptic ruin. The explosion was felt all the way to Cyprus. Many have died, thousands have been injured and a the scale of the damage is estimated to be into the billions. ‘Hope is a very rare commodity in my country today’ writes Dr Alia Abboud of LSESD, who visited Tearfund Ireland last year. ‘The recent devastating explosion was like nothing that we have ever experienced before. It was also the last straw for many Lebanese.’ This calamity could not have come at a worse time for a country on the brink of financial collapse and social implosion, while the number of coronavirus cases there have surged in recent days. MERATH, the relief and development arm of LSESD, our partners in Lebanon, although affected themselves are assisting in the emergency response with food, hygiene supplies and shelter for those affected. They have also been providing make-shift accommodation for many of the medical first responders. As the effects of the disaster became more evident over the weekend our partners are among many local volunteers who have begun opening their homes to provide emergency shelter for some of the 300,000 people who made homeless by the blast. Rehabilitation of homes, schools and other buildings will be a massive undertaking and needs to start as soon as possible. Schools were due to go back in just 3 weeks. As you’re aware from media outlets, the international community is working on financial aid and other supports while the Lebanese people are expressing a collective frustration in the aftermath of the explosion. The following support is being provided: Food Aid Support: hot meals for distribution to thousands of people in the affected areas; also food packs to families that will be given shelter. These will be supplemented soon as things settle down a bit - by food vouchers. Basic needs: (hygiene items, mattresses, etc.) Tearfund Ireland is responding to this crisis in Beirut through prayer and financial support to our partners in Lebanon who are already making an impact. If you would like to donate to the Beirut Crisis please click here.
Read More
10/07/20 12:00

Coronavirus Response: Ethiopia update

Tensions and unrest in ethiopia We are in regular contact with our staff and partners in Ethiopia following unrest in the country this week. It is reported that nearly 200 people have been killed in violent clashes sparked by the killing on 29 June of popular musician Hachalu Hundessa who was from the Oromia region. Please pray for peace to be restored to this country which is facing multiple crises at this time.
Read More
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