Samaritan’s Purse teams are working alongside partner churches to assist suffering families as war spreads into Lebanon. As many as 1 million people—about one-sixth of the country’s population—have been forced to leave their homes. Many are living with relatives or in hotels. About 128,000 Lebanese people are sheltering together in makeshift camps. Some are living on the streets.
Church partners on the ground are identifying people in need and providing urgent relief. More than 500 families so far have been provided with food baskets including milk, rice, pasta, lentils, beans, and oil for preparing daily meals. Families have also received hygiene kits, bedding items, and vouchers for purchasing essential items locally.
This work among hurting people who’ve fled to Beirut has built trust among the displaced, including many Muslims, and has provided opportunities to share the Word of God. People are often surprised by the aid and grateful to our partnering churches for their compassion and care.
As they walked the streets of Beirut to visit the displaced, one church team identified many sick people with no access to medication. The team came back the very next day with the exact medications needed as well as food assistance. One of those who received help began weeping and said, “You didn’t lie to us. Everyone else takes our pictures and disappears, but you came back the next day.”
We praise God that families are experiencing His love and mercy through faithful Christian brothers and sisters.
Please pray for Lebanon and for families leaving their homes in search of safety. Pray also for the safety of our teams and that God would draw many people to Himself as we provide aid and encouragement to hurting Lebanese.
