Lending a Hand to the Disabled
26 July 2006
Muhammed Lufty reports on his work with the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union, an Oxfam partner.
We are based in the south of Beirut, not far from the international airport which has been very badly damaged. In the early days of the attacks, it was very frightening being in the area, but now the bombing has stopped and all of us are thankful for that. Our electricity supply hasn’t been too badly hit, but in nearby neighborhoods, people are facing electricity cuts for up to six hours a day. This is causing problems, especially when it’s hot and people are stressed not knowing what’s going to happen next.
"Everyone has a story to tell describing how they were forced to flee their homes and drive in difficult and dangerous circumstances to save their lives."
Large numbers of displaced people are pouring into Beirut. Every day more and more people arrive and all of them are scared, shocked, and feeling very vulnerable. Everyone has a story to tell describing how they were forced to flee their homes and drive in difficult and dangerous circumstances to save their lives. Most of the displaced people are from villages in the south of Lebanon that continue to be pounded by Israel bombs and missiles.
Shortage of Clean Water
Because of the large numbers of people now in Beirut, there is a shortage of clean water. People are trying desperately to buy bottled water from the shops, but the price of water is so high that most people can’t afford to buy it. The price of food has also gone up. Life is becoming more and more difficult for ordinary people who are already suffering. The price of bread, fruit, and vegetables has gone up over 100 per cent, and they are being rationed in the shops to the lucky people who can afford to buy them.
"Life is becoming more and more difficult for ordinary people who are already suffering."
Near where I work and live it is safe to go out, but people are on edge. They are nervous, and all of us avoid using the bridges and main roads as we have heard rumors that the Israeli army will bomb them as they have in the south and in other parts of Lebanon.
Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union
I work with the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU), one of Oxfam’s partner organizations in Lebanon. We are working with around 600 disabled men, women, and children, providing them with follow-up care and medicine, and seeing to their general welfare. The youngest person that LPHU is helping is a one-year-old blind child. We also have many elderly people who are in need of help. Many are trapped in their homes, as they are too fragile and too scared to try and leave the areas that are under attack.
"I feel devastated by what's happening to my people and my country, and I feel responsible for helping people."
During this crisis, we have been unable to travel to some of the areas where we work because of the Israeli military attacks. My colleagues and I have been left to worry about our clients, and we have no way to contact them. Still, we continue with our work, holding emergency meetings with other NGOs [non-governmental organizations] so we have a better picture of what’s going on and how we can help people in need.
Living in schools
In Beirut, displaced people are now being housed in school buildings. The conditions are grim, with deteriorating hygiene levels, and a lack of water, food, and medicine. LPHU is working in 16 school buildings across Beirut; we are working with more than 800 displaced families in one school building alone. There are people everywhere. People are sleeping in the school playground, in the kitchen, and the classrooms. One young man that I met has been sleeping in the school toilets with his mother for the past eleven days. He’s autistic and has no way of expressing himself. Like most people, he is very scared and confused. I felt heartbroken when I saw him in the school toilets. He has lost everything in the past eleven days: his home and his dignity, and it is all so tragic.
All of our staff are exhausted. We have been working 16 hours a day, and the work just doesn’t stop. I feel devastated by what’s happening to my people and my country, and I feel responsible for helping people. Nobody knows why this is being allowed to continue, why the world doesn’t stop this madness. This disaster will go on and on even after the Israelis stop the bombing.
25 July 2006
