Caritas Australia has reaffirmed its support for communities affected by conflict across the Middle East, as renewed tensions over the weekend compound already severe humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon.
Despite fragile ceasefire conditions and ongoing insecurity, Caritas partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance to families facing displacement, hunger and deteriorating living conditions.
In Gaza, the situation remains catastrophic. Reports over the weekend confirmed that more than 1,000 people, including 256 children, have been killed since the October ceasefire announcement, underscoring the risks facing civilians.
Partners report “the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic… access to clean water, healthcare and essential services remains severely limited.”
Families have now spent years living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to clean water, healthcare and essential services, while their suffering continues to slip from the headlines. In response, Caritas Jerusalem continues to provide critical health services, clean water, psychosocial support and emergency assistance, despite severe access constraints and ongoing insecurity.
In Lebanon, communities are grappling with ongoing insecurity and uncertainty about whether it is safe to return home, particularly in the south where infrastructure damage and access constraints persist. More than 1 million people remain displaced, with over 131,000 staying in shelters, many in overcrowded conditions. Partners in the region report that “violence continues to affect civilians, drive displacement and limit safe returns.”
Since the escalation in March, Caritas Lebanon has reached more than 220,000 people with food, water, healthcare, protection services and shelter. Teams have also continued delivering assistance to hard-to-reach communities in southern Lebanon through coordinated humanitarian convoys, acting as one of the few remaining channels for aid delivery in these areas.
In both Gaza and Lebanon local Caritas teams remain embedded in the communities they serve, responding quickly to evolving needs, ensuring assistance reaches those most affected and bearing witness to widespread civilian suffering.
“Families are facing repeated displacement, unsafe conditions and limited access to basic services. Our partners are working tirelessly, but what is urgently needed is the protection of civilians, safe and consistent humanitarian access and conditions that allow people to live with dignity and rebuild their lives,” said Sally Thomas, Humanitarian Manager at Caritas Australia.
Caritas Australia continues to call for the protection of civilians, respect for international humanitarian law and sustained international support to ensure life-saving assistance can reach those in need.
To support Caritas Australia’s emergency appeals, including appeals for Gaza and Lebanon, visit www.caritas.org.au/emergency or call 1800 024 413 toll free.
Media contact: Tara Harvey 0484 002 021 tara.harvey@caritas.org.au or caritasmedia@caritas.org.au
