A delegation from Caritas Lebanon, headed by Bishop Antoine Bou Najem, the supervisor of Caritas and the bishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Antelias, visited South Lebanon to assess the conditions of the people and review the development projects and humanitarian services provided by Caritas.
The delegation included Father Michel Abboud, President of Caritas, Nadim Nader, Treasurer, Gilbert Zouein, Executive Director, Father Roland Murad, Regional Coordinator, and Mrs. Pascal Debany, Coordinator of Sustainable Development and Integrated Human Development at the Vatican, along with the Director of the Department of Development and Livelihoods at Caritas and several youth leaders, including Charlie Khalil and Samir Haddad.
The Tour Highlights:
*Visit to Tyre Region
The delegation began its visit with a tour of the Tyre region, where they met with the Regional Director, Monsignor Ghafri, and members of the office, as well as health department officials. The meeting discussed the key challenges faced by the region during the crisis, as well as the achievements made and future aspirations. The delegation also met with Bishop George Iskander, the Bishop of the Greek Catholic Church in Tyre, and Bishop Charbel Abdullah, the Bishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Tyre, where discussions focused on how to strengthen humanitarian work and the services provided to those in need.
*Visit to Klayaa and Marjayoun
The delegation met with members of the Marjayoun region and several parish priests. They listened to detailed reports on Caritas’ role in supporting families and addressing humanitarian challenges. They also discussed future plans to ensure continued support and assistance for those in need.
At the end of the tour, Bishop Antoine Bou Najem delivered expressed his deep gratitude to all those working at Caritas, emphasizing that the organization is not only focused on providing material aid but also seeks to support individuals emotionally and spiritually. He said: “Caritas Lebanon’s message is one of love and service, and we believe that the future holds promise for Lebanon, especially in the south, where our efforts will yield development projects that meet the aspirations of the people.”
Father Michel Abboud, for his part, paid tribute to all those working in the southern region for their resilience and tireless efforts. He emphasized that Caritas will continue to do everything in its power to support the people, whether displaced or resident. He also called for enhanced cooperation with international organizations to implement medical, social, and sustainable development projects.
This visit reaffirms Caritas Lebanon’s commitment to its humanitarian mission and its dedication to standing by all those in need, especially during the difficult times Lebanon is facing. The delegation carried a message of hope and optimism, believing South of Lebanon will witness positive progress through the development projects that will contribute to improving the lives of citizens and strengthening their resilience in their homeland.