Caritas Lebanon President Speaks on Plight of Syrians
Sept 20, 2012: A major theme of Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic journey to Lebanon
was the plight of people whose lives are disrupted by conflict and violence. Throughout
his visit, the Holy Father reiterated his closeness to the people of Syria, many tens
of thousands of whom are crossing the border in search of refuge.
Caritas Lebanon,
founded 36 years ago, is part of the far reaching family of Caritas Internationalis,
the Vatican aid agency whose mission is to bring help and support to millions of people
in need across the world.
In an interview with Vatican Radio's Tracey McClure,
Father Simon Faddoul, president of Caritas Lebanon, spoke on the impact the papal
visit had on the country. From the very first moment, even when the Papal plane landed,
Fr. Faddoul says, "we felt like the climate had changed, the climate among the people
of this land: we felt more united, much closer".
I think, he continues, "that
with this visit the Pope is able to unite the whole country." Fr. Faddoul points out
that throughout the visit, people from all religions and from every walk of life were
present. In itself, he says, "this is a great accomplishment".
He says that
with his words, the Pope has planted even stronger hope in our hearts and minds. Especially
in the hearts and minds of the young people. Regarding the meeting of young people
at Bkerké, the Lebanese priest said that "heaven was open - I personally felt so".
"There were Christians and Muslims alike, and people from all over. I felt it was
like Pentecost", he said.
As President of Caritas Lebanon, Fr. Faddoul spoke
of the difficulties faced over the past 16 months as floods of refugees have been
coming into the country from Syria. He says initially they were mostly in the North,
but as of now have spread throughout the country. "They come and they have to find
a shelter for themselves", Fr. Faddoul said.
Most refugees have gone in search
of relatives or acquaintances in the country due to an absence of a main camp for
Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The building of a tent city for Syrian refugees requires
a political decision by the Lebanese government. Fr. Faddoul stated that hesitation
in building a main camp “derives from the fact that in 1948 Palestinian camps were
set up and they are still here now.”
“They are afraid to give the people the
idea that the camps will be around for longer than they are supposed to - or even
become permanent,” he said.
According to Fr. Faddoul, Caritas has aided over
20,000 refugees, providing them with food parcels, hygiene products, mattresses. Although
there have been some American and European partners who have helped, the president
of Caritas Lebanon expressed his hope that his message will reach out and the response
for Caritas' second appeal will be much greater.
"We are studying possibility
of creating the basic infrastructures for them so that they can hopefully have a bit
of a normal life," he said.