LEBANON: Salesian missionaries continue to shelter and support displaced families
Salesian response includes immediate aid with sustainable initiatives
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are continuing to respond to the deepening crisis in the Middle East despite the ceasefire declared in Lebanon*. Bombings in southern Lebanon, rising prices and a lack of jobs are putting thousands of families in difficulty. Salesians are assisting more than 100 displaced people at the Don Bosco Center in El Hossoun and are stepping up their commitment to education, providing scholarships and aid so that youth can continue their education and have hope for the future.
A Salesian explained, “Bombings continue to be reported in the south of the country and more than 50 localities have received evacuation orders, causing further displacement. In the early stages of the recent escalation, at least 30,000 people sought refuge in centers, like the Don Bosco Center, while many others were forced to flee without resources, settling with family or friends or in uninhabited buildings. This situation compounds years of accumulated crises that have deeply weakened the country.”
The humanitarian emergency is closely linked to a structural economic crisis. Since 2019, the Lebanese economy has contracted by more than 38%, one of the most severe declines globally. Inflation and currency devaluation have sent commodity prices soaring, leaving a large part of the population without access to food, healthcare or education. Currently, around 44% of the population lives in poverty, and many families are forced to make extreme decisions such as cutting back on food, taking on debt or withdrawing their children from school.
The Don Bosco Center is welcoming displaced families into spaces set up as shelters. Many of these families have been displaced repeatedly, have lost their homes and arrive with only the bare essentials. The Salesian noted, “These are people who have nowhere to return to. Some displaced people have tried to return to their homes, but most have been destroyed. They will likely be with us for a long time.”
Beyond basic needs, the war leaves a deep emotional mark. Salesian teams are working with children and adults experiencing high levels of fear, anxiety and stress. The Salesian said, “Many children struggle to express their emotions, experiencing crying fits and constant fear after having lived through situations of violence. Through activities such as play, drawing or individual support, the teams try to help them regain their emotional stability.”
Salesians are also organizing group sessions and safe spaces for women and youth, addressing situations of anxiety, trauma or postnatal depression in contexts of extreme vulnerability.
The crisis is also having a direct impact on education. Schools have been closed for many weeks and many educational facilities have been bombed or are now housing displaced people. In the current economic situation, many families cannot afford to educate their children, which is leading to an increase in school dropout rates.
The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, joined by Salesian organizations around the globe, continue to adapt its response to a prolonged crisis, combining immediate humanitarian aid with sustainable initiatives. Food, shelter, education and emotional support form part of a comprehensive approach that seeks not only to respond to the emergency, but to provide opportunities for the future.
###
Sources:
Photo courtesy of Misiones Salesianas
World Bank – Lebanon
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
