L’Œuvre d’Orient expresses its deep concern over the Israeli offensive in Lebanon, which began in the wake of Hezbollah’s attack on Israel. This military escalation is plunging the country into a war with devastating human and social consequences.
More than a million people have been forced to flee their homes—nearly one in five Lebanese. The death toll is rising every day, with more than a thousand people killed, including more than a hundred children.
This war is taking a heavy toll on the civilian population, often indiscriminately. It is unfolding against a backdrop of extreme fragility: for several years now, the Lebanese people have been enduring a succession of economic, social, and political crises. In the absence of a fully functional government, Lebanese organizations, international NGOs, and local churches and religious communities are now shouldering the burden of the humanitarian response, with dramatically insufficient resources amid a global trend of declining international aid.
Villages in Southern Lebanon: Communities Threatened with Disappearance
In southern Lebanon, Christian villages—whose origins date back to the early days of Christianity—are now almost completely cut off from the rest of the country. These communities stand as a living testament not only to faith but also to coexistence in a region that has suffered greatly.
Despite repeated evacuation orders, bombings, the destruction of homes and churches, and civilian deaths—including that of a priest—more than 10,000 Christians have made the courageous choice to remain in their homes. These people are unarmed and stand as a testament to peace and peaceful resistance.
Today, these villages in southern Lebanon face an existential threat. Christian schools, which once enrolled more than 10,000 students—both Christian and Muslim—have been damaged or destroyed. Once again, there is a serious risk of a disruption in education in this country.
The prospect of a larger ground incursion and the creation of a buffer zone could lead to the irreversible exile of the residents.
Added to this is concern about the region’s cultural heritage. The archaeological site of Tyre, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and placed under enhanced protection since November 2024, is now directly threatened by Israeli airstrikes.
The Work of the East’s Efforts: Solidarity in the Midst of the Crisis
In the face of this dire situation, L’Œuvre d’Orient is fully mobilized. With a local team and volunteers on the ground in Lebanon, the organization is responding directly to the needs of the people. It provides direct support to displaced persons who have found shelter with religious orders and local organizations, regardless of their religious affiliation.
L’Œuvre d’Orient supports Christian hospitals, such as Geitawi Hospital and the Daughters of Charity Hospital. It also helps preserve cultural heritage through the ALIPH Foundation, notably by supporting the project to physically protect the archaeological site of Tyre. The work will be carried out in close coordination with the General Directorate of Antiquities (DGA).
Finally, L’Œuvre d’Orient is organizing humanitarian aid convoys to southern Lebanon, in coordination with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), and other partners such as Caritas Lebanon. To date, four trucks have transported 50 metric tons of essential supplies to isolated villages, and additional convoys are planned for the near future.
L’Œuvre d’Orient calls on the international community to:
- work immediately toward a lasting ceasefire;
- ensure the protection of civilian populations, in accordance with international humanitarian law;
- ensure humanitarian access to the hardest-hit areas;
- mobilize funding commensurate with the crisis;
- protect Lebanon's cultural and religious heritage.
Today, the Lebanese people are caught in the crossfire of a conflict they did not choose. Without swift action, the risk is immense: that of seeing entire communities—which embody a history, a faith, and a unique model of coexistence—disappear.
Since 2020, L’Œuvre d’Orient, thanks to its 80,000 individual French donors, has been able to support 2,986 projects totaling 46 million euros.
To support the work of L’Œuvre d’Orient, which assists Christians in Lebanon in their mission to serve displaced Lebanese people, you can help spread the word about the fundraising appeal at https://secure.oeuvre-orient.fr/soutenir-liban
