Shirin from Lebanon

Friday, July 28, 2006

The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon



    As a Lebanese expatriate living in Germany, It is very hard and sad for me to see the TV reports of the war in Lebanon.
    Until 4 weeks ago, I thought that Lebanon regained it`s status as Switzerland of Middle East. I remeber my grandparents used to tell me stories about Lebanon in the past:
"... Lebanon in the mid-60s used to be Switzerland of the Middle East. We had one of the most beautiful countries on earth. We were so lucky to have such a pretty country, a very small country where you can ski and swim in the same season...".
    I was so proud to be a Lebanese... to know that I am a part of this special country. Now it seems like everything is collapsing in Lebanon, and it retreats back to the situation it was on 1982. Lebanon citizens suffer a lot, more than most of us can imagine. They are forced to leave their homes, and run away leaving everything behind, while they are exposed to Israeli attacks, day after day. And if this is not enough, they can't just get into a car and drive to a safe place. Most of the main roads and bridges have been destroyed or seriously damaged in the attacks so it became a huge problem to move from place to place.
    Lebanese citizens suffer due to a lack of fuel, medication, food and many other basic human needs. Hospitals are full, and hospital staff barely manage to care for the patients.
    I think the reason for this situation is very complicated. For years Lebanon has been split from the inside - civil wars, struggles for power between ethnic groups and incursions of outsiders (France, Israel, Syria... and now they say even Iran).
    I think that countries worldwide, especially the rich ones, must send a humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Lebanon immediately.

And I – stand here, far away… and cry for my country…

8 Comments:

  • Thank you Fares,

    I hope PEACE will be in Lebanon very soon.

    Shirin

    By Blogger Shirin, at 3:22 AM  

  • I understand your feelings but I wonder how deep my feelings about Lebanon are. I was a student of African studies in my university days. And since then I have watched "time after time" (I am older than you are) at the indifference shown by the West for Africa, and really alot of other places. I remember the situation reading through the papers your country's suffering in 1982, and I was in England reading of Northern Ireland....But to return to my original thoughts, I have been very angry, when I was your age probably, at the attitude of alot of the world towards Africa. But life goes on. Even the emergency room doctor cannot grieve over every patient that he/she sees, or even grieve over every patient that dies, such feelings would make the doctor useless for society and for his/her family and for him/her self.

    We all have jobs to do. And then after we finish our work we can put our feelings into action or give our money to support others who can act as our representatives.

    There will surely be other places that suffer as much or more than Lebanon. It will take time for any changes to have an effect. I hope this raises your sympathy for the next series of victims and their causes, as they affect German society.
    I have read of the situation of Islamic people in Germany and Northern Europe, they are in need of friends within these societies. Perhaps you will set an example for other Germans to be more kind and understanding.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 6:15 AM  

  • Shirin, ma tkhafeh ...
    We are strong
    we are right
    we will prevail
    Injustice never wins
    Keep drawing, keep writing, keep letting your voice be heard ...
    this what makes Lebanon and the Lebanese Strong ...

    By Blogger Ana Min Beirut - أنا من بيروت, at 7:17 AM  

  • wow what a dillusional moron. You really thought that Lebanon is like Switzerland when a huge terrorist organization like Hezbollah practically controls half of the country ? A terrorist organization with a record of killing civilians all over the world, that is heavily armed with long range rockets and has thousands of armed militia ? An organization that has its own police force and uses intimidation, threats and extortion against the local population. An organization with a deep international presence around the world that was considered more dangerous than Al Qaede before the 9/11 attacks.

    You must be really crazy and/or dillusional if you think Lebanon was like Switzerland. Surely, Lebanon made a step forward with the withdrawal of Syria, but it was and is still a terrorist harboring country, and any comparison to Switzerland is ludicrous.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:58 AM  

  • You need to face reality - maybe if you disarm and disband all the armed militias in your country, then maybe you will have a chance to become more like Switzerland. But as it stands, your country is more like Afghanstan when Al Qaeda was still there.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:01 AM  

  • Thank you for your comments...
    ana-min-beirut - WE ARE STRONG!!!
    The war will be over soon, with the help of Allah. Lebanon was like switzerland once, and it will be again.
    My beauriful country, I want to come visit you again, and i invite you all when it all will be over. You will see that Lebanon is a very special country.
    Anonymous, Hizbollah is a part of Lebanon for many years now, and if you are right, and they are the cause for this distruction, i hope Lebaneses government will see it... for now, Israel is the one that destroy Lebanon, and i want them to stop their air bombing!

    Peace in Lebanon
    Shirin

    By Blogger Shirin, at 4:19 AM  

  • Such a powerful post.

    By Blogger Charles Malik, at 9:38 PM  

  • Great design, useful info!This resourse is great!Keep it up!With the best regards!
    Frank

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:13 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home