Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s Regional Director for the Middle East, said:
“The recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East has the potential to drive an already fragile region into further humanitarian crisis.
“In Gaza, the closure of border crossings and blockade of humanitarian aid in response to the conflict is putting further strain on those already struggling to survive. Families are in real danger of running out of food and aid unless Israel fully reopens all border crossings and allows unrestricted aid to enter freely, immediately and at scale.
“In Lebanon, violence is forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. Families are fleeing with nothing, seeking shelter in a country already struggling with economic collapse and limited resources. Our church partners in the country are rapidly assessing how to provide food and shelter.
“We call on the UK Government to help bring about an end to the war before the fighting pushes more people towards even worse humanitarian suffering.”
To donate to Tearfund’s Middle East Emergency Appeal, supporting humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, please visit: Tearfund.org/MiddleEast
ENDS
Note to editors
For further information contact Melissa Barnston on 07929 335 146 or email [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries: 07929 339813 or [email protected].
About Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.
