Recent bombings in southern Lebanon have killed several hundred civilians and injured many more. Thousands have been forced to flee their homes in the space of a few days, exacerbating an already fragile situation in the country. Several NGOs working in partnership with Swiss Solidarity, including Terre des hommes, Medair, Caritas and Save the Children, are currently on the ground providing vital assistance to the Lebanese people.
After 12 months of relentless bombardment, the people of Gaza are at breaking point. Severe shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity have pushed the population to the brink of famine, with tens of thousands of casualties, mainly women and children. The population is living under constant stress and has no safe place to go.
Donations received will directly fund humanitarian projects on the ground, managed by our Swiss NGO partners. These funds will be used to meet basic needs such as access to food, clean water, medicines and other basic necessities. Part of the funds will also be used to provide psychosocial support for children and families traumatised by the violence, as well as emergency shelter for displaced people.
Donations will support vulnerable populations facing increased violence in the Middle East, with priority given to those in Gaza and Lebanon, where the needs are most acute.
While the situation in Gaza is catastrophic, the fear of a regional war in the Middle East seems to be materialising with the recent events in Lebanon. We are deeply concerned about the dramatic increase in humanitarian needs. We urgently need additional funds to continue to support the suffering civilians in the region.Miren Bengoa, Director
Thanks to the solidarity of the Swiss public, Swiss Solidarity has collected CHF 5.8 million since November 2002. These funds have financed 11 emergency projects run by its Swiss NGO partners, including HEKS, Terre des hommes Foundation, Frieda and Doctors of the World in Gaza. To date, donations have made it possible to
Swiss Solidarity, 1211 Geneva 8
Your donation is tax deductible in Switzerland.
