Food and hygiene kits reach more than 4,000 affected by the attacks in Lebanon

It is estimated that a quarter of all people affected by the Gaza war are in shelters. Since the conflict began, all populations have been affected by a strong increase in poverty and humanitarian needs, gaps in critical supply chains and limitations in access to foodhealth care, education, employment and other basic services.

The country, which was already going through an economic recession before the pandemic, is now in a critical situation compounded by bombings, growing insecurity and forced displacement. With the stoppage of economic activity, including agriculture and construction, more than half of the population claims to have lost their source of income, and 70% admit to having to skip meals. The impact among women is even greater, since the majority have lost their jobs.

“In every conflict, the same people always lose, the most vulnerable people, who are affected by the violence exercised by the contending parties. From Farmamundi, we cannot remain motionless watching how these groups are stripped of their own dignity. Therefore, the current intervention pays special attention to helping pregnant and/or lactating womenminors, people in a state of malnutrition, older adults and people with disabilities,” details the General Director of Farmamundi, John Peris.

Displaced people in a school set up as a shelter in Lebanon. (EFE/Noemí Jabois).

In this way, during the three months that the action lasts, personal kits made up of prepared foodbottled water and energy snacks, taking into account the subject population. Likewise, hygiene packages are already being distributed with toothpaste and toothbrush, nail clippers, shampoo, solid soap, detergent, tissues, towels for feminine hygiene, a container for personal wash or underwear, among other supplies. The distribution has reached more than 4,000 people.

The girls and boys under 3 years old They are also one of the NGO’s priorities, and for them they are distributing milk – powder or liquid depending on availability and conditions – as well as diapers of different sizes to contribute to correct hygiene. The supply will prioritize minors in an evident state of malnutrition or malnutrition, and those with special needs and/or functional diversity.

“The European Union and the international community must take urgent measures to stop bombings and attacks indiscriminate attacks that affect the civilian population of Gaza and now Lebanon to guarantee their security. We also ask that International Humanitarian Law be respected and that access to humanitarian aid be facilitated to alleviate the tragic situation experienced by thousands of people in the area,” Peris points out.

Farmamundi in Lebanon

The NGO has been working in Lebanon since 2017, supporting the supply and distribution of nutritional kits to families settled in the Shatila and Burj El-Barajneh refugee camps, most of them from Syria. In 2020, a emergency response to care for the population affected by the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the covid 19 pandemic and aggravated by the explosion on August 4 in Beirut, which destroyed most of the city’s port, leaving 200 people dead and more than 6,000 injuries. There have also been 13 supplies of essential medicines in recent years, where those carried out after the explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020 and due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 stand out.

“Our priority is the care of thousands of displaced people who need food and basic necessities,” reports the head of Humanitarian Action and Emergencies at Farmamundi, Tania Montesinoswho points out that for this they are working with two local NGOs to channel aid starting this week. Currently, they are deployed in the South, the Cordillera and North Lebanon. In order to achieve this, the NGO has the support from institutions and companies that are part of the Farmamundi Humanitarian Action and Emergencies Fund (FAHE) and the Xunta de Galicia.

It is estimated that a quarter of all people affected by the Gaza war are in shelters. Since the conflict began, all populations have been affected by a strong increase in poverty and humanitarian needs, gaps in critical supply chains and limitations in access to foodhealth care, education, employment and other basic services.