Aita El Shaab, Lebanon, January 16, 2007--Aita El Shaab lies about a kilometer from the Israeli border. It is a small village that was hit hard by the Israeli army's artillery during the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah. Even though the conflict has ended, the smell of cordite, a propellant for guns and rockets, lingers in the air in some places.

Bulldozers have removed the last mounds of rubble, and the efforts of several foreign interests are rapidly bringing the situation back to normal. But residents of this mountainous region of southern Lebanon are still far from ready to sustain themselves through the coming season. Winter in this area is quickly approaching, and people are looking for ways to keep warm in their homes.

In response to this need, DanChurchAid (DCA), the Denmark-based member of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, has begun a program in cooperation with the European Commission Humanitarian Organization (ECHO) to distribute thermal blankets and heaters.

DCA is one of several ACT members that have been working in Lebanon in response to the humanitarian situation following the conflict. Four ACT members are receiving funding from an ACT appeal for the response to address specific needs. DCA is among other ACT members that are addressing additional needs while coordinating with the members working under the ACT appeal.*

"Even if the most basic needs are covered, there is still some way to go before the area is inhabitable again," says Christina Louise Bennike, head of DCA's program in Lebanon. Much of DCA's work is in clearing the many dangerous cluster bombs that remain on the ground, but, Bennike says, "the electricity grid was hit hard, and people aren't able to warm up their homes. The heaters we are distributing run on petrol, which is easily accessible here."

One resident of the village, Fatma Hussein, returned to her home just before Christmas. Given the physical conditions, she had not planned to return until next summer. But the distribution of winter supplies meant she and her husband, Khaled Magdy, could go home early.

The couple fled north like so many others when the conflict escalated into full-scale war. Until their return, they had been living in their daughter's garage just south of Beirut.

The UNHCR's mission in Lebanon has now ended, meaning most of the country's residents who fled from their homes have returned or are in the process of returning.

"When we heard we would be able to spend the winter in our own home, we decided to go back. Our house is still standing, but there is no running water because there is no electricity," says Fatma. "We registered at the local city council and received blankets and a heater the next day."

The view from the front of their house is an example of what the rest of the city is like following the fighting. The row of their neighbors' homes is now gone. A children's swing set stands as a skeleton and bears witness to the tremendous forces that changed the scenery.

Although it's not functioning fully, Fatma and her husband are happy to be back in their own home. They spend most of the day warming themselves in the sun and looking at the magnificent view of green hills and blue skies, a panorama that is now serene.

"The only thing we want is peace," says Fatma.

* ACT members that are part of the ACT appeal for Lebanon (Lebanon Humanitarian Crisis - MELB61, Revision 1): Middle East Council of Churches' Inter-Church Network for Development and Relief, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Norwegian Church Aid and Christian Aid. ACT members working in Lebanon outside the ACT appeal: Church of Sweden and DanChurchAid.

SIDEBAR:

Distribution of winter items

DanChurchAid's distribution of blankets and heaters ranges from Nabatiyeh in the north to Aita El Shaab in the south and also covers locations between Tyre in the west to Hassbaya and Bent Jbeil in the east. DanChurchAid locates people who are eligible for material assistance through city councils, which have screened families for their needs. Once selected, families receive the items within 24 hours. In Aita El Shaab, more than 150 families and 900 individuals have received the winter items.

(ends)

Morsi (the only name he is commonly known by) is a free-lance journalist for DanChurchAid, a member of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International.

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