“Peace must be a promise, not just a pause” - Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire
Tearfund spokesperson available from the region
The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah offers a glimmer of hope, but the journey to restoration is far from over, says Christian development agency Tearfund.
Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s director for the region, says:
“Communities in Lebanon and across the region have endured unimaginable suffering in recent months. This ceasefire is a crucial step toward relief, but much work remains to restore lives and rebuild resilience.
“We echo the urgent call for world leaders to act with courage and compassion. A sustainable, region-wide ceasefire is essential for lasting peace, justice, and the flourishing of communities.
“We continue to pray and work for a future where peace is not just a pause, but a promise fulfilled.”
At least 3,800 people in Lebanon have been killed in the conflict and 15,800 more injured. Around a million have had to leave their homes - that’s the equivalent of the whole of Birmingham having to move into emergency shelter. A further half a million people have fled the country.1
Tearfund’s Lebanon country director, Jaime Abraham, says they need urgent funds for mental health and trauma support:
“We’ve all been living this day in, day out. I’ve helped friends escape their bombed homes in the middle of the night, and led students to safety in the middle of classes.
“Those scars could take generations to heal. At Tearfund we’ve seen first hand the real power of peace and reconciliation projects. People will flourish again, if we can provide the right support, right now.”
Over the next crucial days Tearfund and its partners will be providing:
- Emergency supplies of warm food, water and hygiene kits to displaced people
- Mental health support for those affected by trauma, including spaces where children can play safely
- Peacebuilding and well-being workshops between different faith and community groups
- Livelihood support and training to try to restore dignity and resilience longer term
Samer* and his family fled their home close to the Lebanon-Israel border:
“Dare we hope it’s safe to return to our homes? We’ve been living in fear for so long. Many of us don’t even have homes to return to and there’s still a risk from unexploded shells.
We hope and pray it’s safe enough for our children to return to school, where they can learn something other than how to tell missiles apart or where to hide in an airstrike.”
In the coming winter months, the temperature in some areas can reach minus 10 degrees Celsius. Tearfund’s church partners in Lebanon have opened their doors to provide shelter, comfort and hope to displaced people.
Safa Hijazeen says:
“At Tearfund, we see this ceasefire as a breakthrough opportunity to extend God’s love through practical action. We’re delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid and mental health support to help individuals and families recover and rediscover hope.
Together with Tearfund’s partners and other aid agencies, we are committed to walking alongside those in need, offering dignity and care in the face of hardship.”
For more information about the work of Tearfund or to donate, please visit www.tearfund.org.
*name has been changed
Source: UNOCHA
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For further information or interview requests:
Sarah Mitchell on 07592 659986 or [email protected] or [email protected]. For urgent out of hours media enquiries please call 07929 339813
Notes to editors
- To donate to Tearfund’s Middle East Emergency Appeal, supporting humanitarian needs in Gaza and Lebanon, please visit: Tearfund.org/MiddleEast
- 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. Tearfund is also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.
- A typical hygiene kit contains a soap, hand sanitiser, wash cloths, toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste, rubbish bags, disinfectant and sanitary items
