Displaced families share a meal at the church of St Joseph in Beirut
Jesuit Mission Australia has activated its Emergency Action Fund to respond to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and across the Middle East. The response is coordinated through the Xavier Network, a global coalition of 14 Jesuit organisations working together to coordinate humanitarian and development projects around the world.
A surge in hostilities across the region has triggered widespread violence, civilian casualties, and mass displacement. Lebanon has been particularly affected, with fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensifying amid the broader regional conflict. More than half a million people in Lebanon have already been registered as displaced, forcing families to flee and seek safety across the country.
Through partners of Jesuit Mission, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) MENA and JRS Lebanon, displaced families are receiving emergency assistance, including shelter, protection services, food and water, and mental health and psychosocial support.
“Families across Lebanon and the wider Middle East are once again being forced to flee their homes as violence escalates, and our partner staff, many directly affected themselves, are working tirelessly to provide shelter and protection to those displaced,” said Kath Rosic, International Programs Director at Jesuit Mission.
In Lebanon, education and livelihoods programmes run by JRS have been suspended due to security concerns. However, protection services and mental health and psychosocial support continue as the impact of the ongoing conflict takes a heavy toll on women, men and children already displaced and surging numbers of newly displaced families.
JRS has also reopened the Jesuit Church of St Joseph in Beirut to provide shelter for migrants and refugees who are unable to access government shelters and services. Mattresses have been laid across floors, and offices have been converted into sleeping spaces as displaced families seek safety.
“Ten minutes after we received the first call from a family fleeing their home, the airstrikes began,” said Fr Michael Petro SJ of Jesuit Refugee Service in Lebanon.
“Since that morning we have been running a shelter here in the church. Today more than 170 people are living here, many of them migrant workers and refugees who have nowhere else to go. Children are playing in the courtyard while fighter jets pass overhead.”
Jesuit Mission Australia is grateful to the Australian Catholic community who make it possible for the organisation to respond immediately in times of crisis.
“It is the love and compassion of our supporters who generously offer gifts, prayers and solidarity that enable us to ensure the most vulnerable families, in their time of greatest need, know that they are loved and not alone,” said Rosic.
“Our supporters are bearers of hope and instruments of peace in a region torn by conflict. This emergency response will help ensure families have shelter, safety and care.”
