Children give toys to other children - Relief work in Lebanon continues

The situation in Lebanon remains unchanged. SOS Children's Villages' local relief programmes continue and are continually being extended. As a result of the instability and logistical problems, SOS Children's Villages has only been able to help families within the surrounding areas of its facilities.

"I'm missing my doll. I had to leave her behind. I was told that our house is in ruins", says four-year old Yara, who is now living in a public school with her family. Most of the refugees in the country are staying with their families or with friends. An estimated 125,000 Lebanese people are staying in schools or other public facilities.

Around 150 children have been receiving baby milk, nappies and food from SOS Children's Village Sferai for more than 20 days. Mattresses have been handed out, as have blankets, vital medication and clothes. Children from the SOS Children's Village have shown particular solidarity: each of the children has given a toy to one of the refugee children.

Staff from SOS Children's Village Kfarhay in northern Lebanon continue to provide care for around 135 families that are staying with relatives and will therefore not be included in the official emergency relief that is being provided by the state. 200 mattresses and clothes, mainly for children, have been handed out so far.

The director of SOS Children's Village Ksarnaba, which is in the middle of the crisis area, was able to return to the village via Syria, to the great relief of the children, mothers and staff there, although it was in extremely difficult circumstances. He was forced to walk for the last half an hour until he reached the village, because so much damage has been caused to the roads around Ksarnaba.