Update March 11

Dear friends and supporters,

since the war started on March 2nd, in Lebanon the Israeli strikes have killed 634 people, wounded thousands and displaced more than 816’000, 12% of the whole population.

The Israeli Army has issued “evacuation orders” on Twitter/X for South Beirut, which is very densely populated, and for the southern regions of Lebanon, covering nearly 10% of the entire surface of the country. Many UN Palestinian refugee camps are inside the “evacuation” areas. Needless to say, most people have nowhere to go.

Prices are rising. Countless people sleep in cars or on the streets. Announced and un-announced strikes terrorize the population. Nobody can feel safe: Father Pierre Al Rahi, a priest who had chosen to remain with his parishioners in their southern village, was killed by Israeli artillery at his home. A hotel in a quiet and predominantly Christian area in the outskirt of Beirut was suddenly attacked by fighter jets, killing the receptionist, 34-year-old Fatima Zaher Ahmadi. At least 14 first-aid paramedics have been killed, too.

The family of one of the FAID children have lost their home in the bombing. The father of this family was killed in the bombings of 2024.

We try to keep in touch with our friends there and check on them every day. This is a tiny bit of comfort for them.

We will keep you up to date with the situation on the ground.