Escalation in the Middle East: HEKS Provides Emergency Aid

HEKS has been active in the region for decades, with offices in Damascus, Beirut, Jerusalem, and Gaza. We are pleased to offer to arrange an interview with Dima Wehbi in Beirut or Hakam Awad in Jerusalem.

The current escalation of violence in the Middle East, particularly Israel's recent attacks on Lebanon, has further worsened the dramatic humanitarian crisis. Despite a fragile ceasefire since yesterday, the consequences remain devastating: the displacement of over a million people, high civilian casualties, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law.

The toll of the violence is shocking: In Lebanon alone, over 2,000 people have died and more than 6,900 have been injured. The Israeli army has destroyed entire villages in southern Lebanon. The situation is precarious: people are sleeping outdoors, emergency shelters are overcrowded, and there is a lack of water, food, and medical care.

HEKS has been active for years in the most affected area south of the Litani River with its partner organization 'Association Najdeh,' especially in the vicinity of Palestinian refugee camps. This has allowed for rapid emergency aid during the current crisis: about 1,400 families, who have newly sought refuge in the refugee camps, receive financial support. In May, particularly vulnerable households (single mothers, elderly people, households with people with disabilities) will receive a second payment. This allows people to respond flexibly to their individual needs and secure the essentials for survival.

In addition, our longstanding partner organization, the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, distributes vouchers in Beirut to 150 displaced families and supports students whose parents have lost their income due to the war in paying school fees.

In the Gaza Strip, despite the fragile ceasefire, there continues to be violence against civilians. Access for aid deliveries remains inadequate, and the political blockade exacerbates the population's suffering. In the West Bank, settler violence has escalated further in recent years. The killing and systematic displacement of thousands of people and the accelerated settlement expansion undermine any prospect for peace. In Palestinian territories, we provide emergency aid to those most affected by the ongoing escalation of violence. In Gaza, HEKS and its partner organizations provide building materials to repair damaged houses and shelters or supply farmers with seeds and fertilizers.

Even in this seemingly hopeless situation, HEKS remains committed to ending the violence and continues to support its partner organizations and communities on the ground. We strengthen civil society actors in Israel and Palestine who work with non-violent means to overcome existing conflicts and inequalities. Only together and with a strong civil society can new approaches be found that break the cycle of violence and work towards protecting the rights of all.

In view of the dramatic developments, HEKS calls on all parties to the conflict in the region to de-escalate immediately and comply with international law. Civilians on all sides of the conflict must be protected, and international humanitarian law must be respected. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, medical personnel, and aid workers are unacceptable. Moreover, access for humanitarian workers in all conflict areas must be guaranteed, requiring the commitment of states, organizations, and civil society worldwide. Switzerland, in particular, must take a clear stand for the unconditional adherence to international humanitarian law. As the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions and with its humanitarian tradition, who better to clearly and decisively name egregious violations of international law and engage fully to ensure its compliance and strengthen the global humanitarian system?

Even if the situation in the Middle East currently seems hopeless, HEKS will continue to support the people on the ground. We can only do this thanks to your support. Please support our work with a donation. Thank you for your solidarity!

Media contact:
Rahel Schmucki, HEKS spokesperson; rahel.schmucki@heks.ch; +41 76 461 88 70.

HEKS has been active in the region for decades, with offices in Damascus, Beirut, Jerusalem, and Gaza. We would be happy to arrange an interview with Dima Wehbi in Beirut or Hakam Awad in Jerusalem.

Rahel Schmucki
Media & Information
HEKS - Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz
Seminarstrasse 28 / P.O. Box
CH - 8042 Zurich
Phone: 076 461 88 70

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