Since 23 September, Lebanon has been hit by violent attacks, particularly in the south of the country, a region already weakened by a series of crises, including economic collapse and political instability. These factors have seriously affected the health system in the south, where access to medical care has become extremely limited. To date, the Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported more than 1,000 deaths and nearly 6,500 injuries, while the number of newly displaced people exceeds 118,000, although this figure is probably an underestimate.
Faced with this critical situation, Mehad has decided to take action by supporting the initiatives of local organisations and institutions to meet the urgent needs of the people in the south. It has now become impossible to meet the demand for medical care.
As a first step, Mehad established a partnership with Dr Assad Skoury, head of a clinic in Deirmimas, in the governorate of Nabatieh, one of the areas worst affected by the attacks. This clinic, the only health facility still operational in the region, treats more than 4,200 patients a month, offering free or reduced-cost care. To date, no other NGO is present in the area to provide medical aid.
The crisis has been exacerbated by the massive influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs), which now exceeds one million people in Lebanon. Among them are women, children, the elderly and many chronically ill people (suffering from diabetes, hypertension or asthma) who, for lack of means, have had to interrupt their vital treatment.
Unfortunately, the situation in Deirmimas deteriorated when the village was targeted, forcing some of the population to flee, including the clinic’s medical staff. However, Mehad is continuing its partnership with Dr Skoury, now in Mount Lebanon, where the majority of the clinic’s patients have taken refuge, to provide healthcare to these displaced and refugee populations, in particular the monitoring of patients with chronic pathologies.
We need your support to enable Mehad to continue its work and help the most vulnerable. Your donations will ensure access to essential healthcare and give thousands of people in southern Lebanon a chance of survival. Together, we can make a difference
