BEIRUT, Lebanon, February 21, 2007 - Against a backdrop of increasing sectarian tensions, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) completed the first phase of its post-war recovery work in Lebanon after last summer's conflict with Israel. With $3.2 million in funding from the US government, CRS was able to assist over 100,000 Lebanese of all faiths in 80 villages around the country.

Working with Lebanese partner organizations Caritas Lebanon and Development of People and Nature Association, CRS supported families with food, clean water, vouchers for crops and livestock, and innovative psychosocial activities to help children - innocent victims - cope with the trauma of war and explore issues of multiculturalism.

"Thanks to the hard work of our Lebanese partners, we gave thousands of people the food, clothing, and fuel they needed after the conflict," said CRS/Lebanon Country Representative Melinda Burrell. "We've also helped farmers to restart their dairy farms destroyed in the war, fishermen to clean oil from their fishing grounds, students to study in newly-refurbished schools, and parents to take their children to safe, mine-free playgrounds,"

Much of this recovery work was carried out by hundreds of enthusiastic youth volunteers, who went door-to-door to learn the specific needs of families, and then helped distribute the food, hygiene items, and other assistance packets in the villages. Youth also helped organize festivals for children to help alleviate the stress of their post-war lives.

"The youth volunteers intuitively did a great job navigating the politics of polarized communities," said Burrell. "Now we want to help them take on even stronger leadership roles in their villages."

Engaging youth in future development, good governance, and conflict transformation programs will be a key goal for CRS, as decades of civil strife and lack of employment opportunity in Lebanon have contributed to a "brain drain" migration of the country's youth.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in 99 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.