Swiss and Arab philanthropies respond to Lebanon crisis as displacement follows Israeli air strikes

 

Shafi Musaddique

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The Swiss Philanthropy Foundation and the Arab Foundations Forum have both launched emergency appeals for Lebanon amidst an escalation in violence and subsequent displacement since Israel’s military strikes on the capital Beirut and in southern Lebanon.  

The Swiss emergency rapid response fund aims to collect donations with a minimum individual contribution being CHF 10,000 (or $11,600 US dollars). Swiss Philanthropy Foundation has provided an initial donation of CHF 20,000. 

Funds will go towards emergency humanitarian relief and support for children as they experience trauma in conflict. 

The foundation says it will work with local NGOs to meet increasing demand for housing and shelter in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, where people are receiving little to no assistance from state authorities.  

Over a million people have been displaced from their homes, many of them Syrian refugees already displaced from their homeland.

Naila Farouky, CEO of the Arab Foundation Forum, told Alliance that the sector’s response to Lebanon is ‘quicker and louder’ when compared to the meeting the needs of Palestinians in Gaza, ‘mainly because we’ve been primed by the atrocities we’ve been watching happen in Gaza for more than a year.’

‘For organisations that kept quiet over Gaza, Lebanon is a step too far. Many are finally publicly condemning Israel’s actions — a welcome development, but too late for the tens of thousands who have already been killed in both communities,’ she adds.

The Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) has launched its appeal. It lists reputable NGOs and smaller, local led groups who require funding. 

Lebanon has a well developed humanitarian presence, thanks to the already large numbers Syrian and Palestinian refugees it hosts.

‘That meant when Israel began its assault on the country many organisations already had teams in place that could pivot their efforts to help the newly injured and displaced. Organisations sending supplies, aid and funds from outside Lebanon have also been quick to act, helped by the fact that many were already running Gaza appeals that they could add Lebanon to with one simple, awful update’, Farouky says.

The AFF launched its Gaza Donor Appeal days after Israel first started its air strikes on Gaza. Donations go towards established aid groups and the AFF’s pooled fund going towards smaller, local charities.

Shafi Musaddique is the news editor at Alliance Magazine

Tagged in: Israel-Palestine Conflict Regional representatives


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