Sir, – The world has looked on in horror at the spiralling crisis that has enveloped Lebanon.
A ferocious barrage of airstrikes has potentially forced up to a million to flee their homes and killed over 1,000 people. The region finds itself on the precipice of yet another humanitarian calamity.
We are seeing deeply troubling parallels with what is unfolding in Lebanon and the scale of destruction and suffering over the past year in Gaza. People in Lebanon saw how the international community failed to halt the killing in Gaza and tell us they are fearful they will soon face the same fate.
Just as in Gaza, people in Lebanon are fleeing for their lives. Just as in Gaza, civilians are being killed in large numbers. Just as in Gaza, schools have been closed and turned into makeshift shelters. Just as in Gaza, whole communities live in constant fear.
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As the CEOs of the aid agencies that make up the Irish Emergency Alliance we are proud of our teams and local partners already responding to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. We have reached thousands of families by providing food, mattresses and blankets as well as supporting stretched emergency medical services.
At the same time, we continue through our local partners to offer a lifeline to people in Gaza, who have gone through a year of unimaginable suffering, living under constant bombardment and the ever-present risk of famine. We have not given up hope that the hostages will be released, and a ceasefire agreed to bring peace to people in Gaza, Lebanon and across the region.
With such colossal need across Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon the support of the Irish public is more urgent than ever. For those able to give as we reach people in need, please visit www.irishemergencyalliance.org. – Yours, etc,
KAROL BALFE,
CEO,
ActionAid Ireland;
ROSAMOND BENNETT,
CEO,
Christian Aid Ireland;
PAUL O’BRIEN,
CEO,
Plan International Ireland;
SEAN COPELAND,
CEO,
Tearfund Ireland;
CAOIMHE DE BARRA,
CEO,
Trócaire;
GILLIAN BARNETT,
CEO,
World Vision Ireland.