A team from Lions Club District 351 in front of aid intended for displaced populations. (Photo sent to L'Orient Today)
For the past nine days, intensified Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have forced over one million people to flee southern Lebanon, large parts of the Bekaa, and Beirut's southern suburbs, according to a recent statement by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
In addition to the approximately 116,100 displaced individuals spread across 778 official shelters, as announced by the government on Sunday, and those housed with relatives, thousands more are wandering the streets.
In the absence of a functional state, civil society is once again stepping in to assist displaced populations, even as the war rages on. L'Orient Today has compiled a non-exhaustive list of initiatives launched by organizations or individuals for those who would like to contribute through donations, in-kind gifts, or volunteering, or for those looking to seek assistance for people in need.
Organizations:
– Rotary Lebanon, Rotaract Lebanon, and Interact Lebanon: Donation campaigns on social media.
– Lions Club District 351 (distribution of meals and various aid through all member clubs): Contact the governor at +961-03-606237.
– World Food Program: Donations via its social media or website, with a campaign launched for Lebanon. www.wfp.org/countries/lebanon
– Red Cross: www.supportlrc.app
– Amel Association: +961-01-317293.
– Lebanese Food Bank: +961-03-714401 or via its Instagram account.
– Beit el-Baraka: Donations via a link on social media or through its website www.beitelbaraka.org
– Offre Joie: Donate or volunteer via a link on its Instagram account @offre.joie
– Stouh Beirut: +961-70-388389.
– Arcenciel: For in-kind donations, call the centers in Jisr el-Bacha and Jisr el-Wati at +961-01-495561; Taanayel (Bekaa) at +961-08-544881; Halba at +961-26-693030; and Damour at +961-03-216270, or donate through the link on Instagram.
– Dafa (aid for the most vulnerable, particularly clothing and food): +961-71-569883.
– Live Love Beirut (donations): livelovebeirut.com or livelove.org
– Bassma: www.bassma.org/donatenow and on social media.
– Beity (shelter for displaced people, meal distribution, and psychological support for children in Keserwan): +961-81-121171 or via Whish Money.
– Emir Majid Arslan Foundation: +961-78-848730.
– René Moawad Foundation: +961-70-352230 or through the website www.rmftogether.com
– Georges N. Frem Foundation (various aid): +961-09-642043.
– Beirut liltanmiya or Beirut Association for Social Development: +961-81-812312 (bank account details available on Instagram).
– Nusaned (meal distribution): nusaned.org/en/donate
– Ahla Fawda with its "dekkeneh" (shop) available for the most vulnerable: +961-81-687749.
– Cedars for Care in Ramlet el-Baida (meal distribution): +961-03-743756/670890, info@cedarsforcare.org, Whish Money and bank accounts available.
– Democratic Gathering of Lebanese Women (RDFL, occasionally working on displaced aid): in Mount Lebanon +961-76-519805; In North Lebanon +961-76-519770 (Whish Money and bank accounts available).
– Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) (infant formula and meals for young children): +961-70-231739, +961-04-727500, +961-70-231739 (WhatsApp), and +961-71-924481 (breastfeeding advice for mothers).
– Bouzourouna Jouzourouna (food distribution to canteens in Beirut and Tripoli): +961-81-075 284
The U.N. launches a $400 million appeal to aid displaced people.
Personal or ad hoc initiatives, and solidarity kitchens:
– Ziad Abichaker, environmental engineer (donations for mattresses or other necessities for the displaced): +961-03-293222.
– Nation Station (meal distribution): +961-71-930274.
– Great Oven (kitchen): +961-70-979366.
– Interact Aley (meals prepared in six kitchens in Aley and food boxes): +961-70-966757.
– Youth Football Development (donation drive for the Lebanese Red Cross): +961-71-844902.
– Dent de lait (for milk and diapers): +961-70-519119 and +961-03-709080.
– Lebanese Vegans (cooked meals): +961-01-488808.
– Beyond Charity (aid collection): +6142577221 (via WhatsApp).
– Adib Farhat, filmmaker (aid collection): +961-03-054423.
– Feed the Need (food and essentials for the displaced): +961-03-218290, +961-71-274406, and +961-71-033693.
– Nature – Marc Beyrouthi (money going to local producers to provide food for the displaced): +961-81-681616 or +961-76-363353.
– Dikken al-Mazraa (food distributed directly to the displaced or to solidarity kitchens): +961-03-528772 or donations via Whish Money and OMT.
– Wissam Abdel Samad (fundraiser for Chouf Youth Initiative, which includes Dekenet el-Nas, Sarmada Team, and Beit Salwa): +961-81-052340.
– Noun Tadamon (feminist association currently working for displaced people): +961-70-667119.
