We would like to say thank you to all our supporters who have responded so generously to the appalling tragedy that has unfolded in Lebanon since last Tuesday 4 August.
The explosion at the port caused major devastation and loss of lives, but Barnabas Fund supporters rose up and gave promptly and generously to help our Christian brothers and sisters affected by this terrible event.
Food and repairs
We have already sent over £85,000 ($111,000; €94,000) to assist Christians with food and repair of their homes. All those being assisted were already very poor and vulnerable, even before the explosion. Some of those we are helping are Muslim-background believers from nearby countries, who cannot receive other aid because coming forward would reveal the fact that they were converts from Islam, thus endangering themselves.
Food parcels contain a well-balanced range of nutritious and familiar foods, plus two hygiene items. Repairs are primarily to replace shattered window glass and doors that were blown in. We are also replacing necessary items such as mattresses if these have been rendered unusable.
Buildings at the port were completely flattened by the blast, and apartments in the nearby crowded neighbourhoods crumbled. Four of the five neighbourhoods worst affected are predominantly Christian. Windows were broken as far as 25 km from the exploding warehouse of ammonium nitrate. Current official estimates are that 160 people were killed with some 5,000 injured.
We are working through our existing trusted project partners in Lebanon, known personally to us for many years. We are confident they can deliver the aid to the neediest Christians effectively and efficiently.
If anyone would like to make a further donation, we would welcome it.
A monthly food parcel costs £27 ($35; €30).
The average cost to repair a home is £380 ($500; €425).
