Destruction and humanitarian catastrophe
The everyday lives of people in the countries of the Middle East are characterised by destruction, terror, despair and the search for protection. These are images of horror.
Houses are destroyed, people are killed and families are torn apart. In autumn 2024, the violent Middle East conflict has also escalated in Lebanon. People live in constant danger for their lives. Many traumatised people are seeking protection in neighbouring countries, but the situation here is also very uncertain. Our partners are on the ground and are providing immediate aid.
Help us with your donation! Join us in not giving up hope that the war will end and that people will take steps towards peace together.
Flashpoint Gaza
More than two million people in Gaza are facing famine. Clean water is barely available in sufficient quantities throughout the Gaza Strip. Most of the water treatment plants have been destroyed or cannot be operated due to a lack of fuel. They have been suffering from dehydration and malnutrition for months and entire families are at risk of starvation.
Only if the transport corridors are open and there are no military operations can the people be supplied with essential foodstuffs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns of a mass outbreak of disease and deaths.
Spread of the conflict to Lebanon
Over a million people, mainly from the south of the country, have been fleeing since Lebanon became a war zone. Many of them are seeking protection within the country. Others, such as Syrian refugees, see fleeing back to their crisis-ridden home country as a last resort. Many Lebanese are also said to have fled to the neighbouring country.
This exceptional situation is a catastrophe for an already difficult situation. The people of Lebanon have been suffering from the consequences of the economic and financial crisis and political stagnation for years. Large sections of the population are impoverished, with over 80% living below the poverty line. Society is characterised by different cultures and religions, partly due to the large numbers of refugees throughout the region. The aim here is to preserve the cohesion of the people.
Emergency aid that arrives
We have been working with our partner organisations in the Middle East, particularly Israel and Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, for decades. They are now providing emergency aid: accommodation, water, food, mattresses, sleeping bags, hygiene products and medicines are needed. It is particularly important to provide the children, women and men with the best possible care before winter. It is equally important to provide psychosocial support for the traumatised people so that they can come to terms with what they have experienced and social cohesion can be strengthened.
In the long term, Misereor's partner organisations are working in the area of peacebuilding. Despite the particularly difficult circumstances, especially in Israel and Palestine, committed people on both sides are working towards understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. Find out more in our publication "Peace work in the Middle East conflict".
Sven Brieger
Donor Communications
- Telephone
- +49 241 442125
- spende@misereor.de