Salesians Sheltering Refugees in Lebanon - Situation Around El Houssoun Chaotic, Says Priest

EL HOUSSOUN, Lebanon, JULY 24, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The Salesians' Don Bosco House at El Houssoun, a hilly district in the province of Jubeil, north of Beirut, has opened its doors to refugees.

More than 200 refugees have taken shelter at the house, some 35 kilometers (21 miles) north of the Lebanese capital.

Meanwhile, the International Volunteer Service for Development (VIS) and the Don Bosco Network (DBN) have begun collecting funds and have already sent the first €20,000 ($25,370), according to the Salesian News Agency.

"There are lots of children and women, some elderly, two well on in their pregnancy and two men with heart conditions. Many of these people are under shock from the fear they experienced," said Father Dany El Hayek, the Salesian in charge of the Don Bosco House.

"The bombardment is reaching further afield to places that previously were thought to be out of range," the priest noted. "In the next few hours we are expecting a new wave of refugees and it will become more difficult to find a place for them.

"We are ready to set up a campsite with more than 200 tents since we have the space on the land around our house with a nearby pine wood. There are also 170 being housed in the village as well as in the neighboring area. The situation is chaotic."

Ill-prepared

"The state of Lebanon is trying to get itself organized but so far it has proved ill-prepared and incapable of managing such a disastrous situation," explained the Salesian. "There are a number of organizations trying to come to terms with the emergency but for the present they have not succeeded in providing the necessary mattresses.

"We need food, medicine and clothes. And we thank VIS and DBN for their support and for the help they have sent."

Antonio Raimondi, president of VIS and vice president of DBN, said: "There is no doubt that the presence in our Salesian houses of Muslims and Christians underlines our neutral approach in the face of elementary basic human needs.

"Throughout the Middle Eastern region we have always been a vital force for interreligious and interethnic dialogue. We hope that the humanitarian corridor will be opened as soon as possible."

"We need food, medicine and clothes. And we thank VIS and DBN for their support and for the help they have sent."

The Holy Father has set up an account to accept donations for these innocent victims. If you can possibly toss a few bucks into the hat, it would be appreciated. From the Vatican Information Service

COR UNUM: SPECIAL COLLECTION OF FUNDS FOR LEBANON

VATICAN CITY, JUL 22, 2006 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" today published the following communique:

"Given the persistence of the conflict in the Middle East and of the terrible plight of the peoples involved, the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum' wishes, in the name of the Holy Father, to demonstrate its closeness to those who are suffering, sending preliminary aid to help shelter the thousands of displaced people.

"This aid is directed towards a project being promoted by Caritas Lebanon, the Custody of the Holy Land, the AVSI Foundation and other organizations present on the ground, in order to supply materials for welcome centers (mattresses, blankets and sheets), drinking water, food and hygiene kits, and medicines."

The communique also indicates where to send donations for this special collection of funds:

Italian Post Office current account number 603035, made out to Pontifical Council Cor Unum, stating the reason: for Lebanon.

Banca di Roma current account number 101010 - ABI 3002, CAB 5008 (from abroad: SWIFT code: BROMIT) - made out to Pontifical Council Cor Unum, stating the reason: for Lebanon.
CON-CU/LEBANON/... VIS 060724 (190)

For those who would prefer to work directly with priests serving in Lebanon, Fr. Antonio Elfeghali is in Byblos where his village has taken in 445 refugees. He has organized local catholics to provide shelter, food, clothing and water. You may send donations to him at:

LEBANON IS MORE THAN A COUNTRY, IT IS A MESSAGE (JOHN PAUL II)

Help the displaced people in Lebanon:
You can help the Lebanese refugees in one of the Chouf towns by wiring from your Bank a small amount of money to the following account:

Bank Name: BYBLOS BANK SAL
Branch: DEIR EL KAMAR BRANCH
Swift Code: BYBALBBX
Beneficiary Name: ORDRE MARONITE MARIAMITE DEIR EL KAMAR
Account no.: 570-2501405

The Beneficiary Address is:
Saydet El-Talle, Deir El Kamar, Chouf, Lebanon
The Bank Address:
Bank Byblos, Deir El Kamar, Chouf, Lebanon

Note that we have now 445 refugees in the town where I live. They need food and water.
“I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and gave me water to drink.”

NEW See Gallery of the War of July 2006

You may also follow Father's daily activities at the following site:

LINK

Scroll down and click on Father Antonio's journal.

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