In the fall of 2023, a significant crisis unfolded in the Middle East, leading to the displacement of numerous people from their homes, including in Lebanon. Lebanon, grappling with over 1.5 million refugees and displaced individuals, faced an escalating need for humanitarian assistance.
Responding to this situation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collaborated with the Union of Relief & Development Associations (URDA) to provide critical support and essential relief items to the families affected.
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Since many lost their belongings, sleeping kits offered much-needed comfort and security, granting those displaced families a semblance of normalcy in their sleeping arrangements.
Additionally, URDA delivered ready-to-eat food and clean water, addressing immediate nutritional needs and health concerns, particularly for the children and older adults.
Another critical component of the relief efforts was the distribution of hygiene kits, which are essential to prevent the spread of disease among the displaced populations, ensuring a baseline of well-being.
Stacey Knight, humanitarian program manager of the Church for the Middle East region, says the Church has worked with URDA on multiple projects in Lebanon in the past.
“We are grateful for the chance to engage in these meaningful projects to assist those in desperate need,” Knight said. “While the situation of many of these people breaks our hearts, we want to do all we can to provide relief. The Church is engaged in this and other projects throughout the region and is committed to doing its best to serve all of God’s children.”
This humanitarian initiative in South Lebanon is just one example of the Church’s efforts to help those in need around the world. In 2022, the Church’s humanitarian aid included more than $1 billion in expenditures, 6.3 million volunteer hours and 3,692 projects in 190 countries and territories.