8/24/06

International Aid: US aid to Lebanon

Since the fragile Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire began on August 14, delivery of humanitarian aid has been underway for the million people displaced by the war. Many of these people returned home to find rubble.

UNICEF estimates that one-third of the people killed were children. And one-half of the displaced in Lebanon are children.

Meanwhile, recent missile attacks in Gaza have left one million people without electricity and water. Food shortages are just around the corner.

The United States has distributed more than half of its initial $50 million pledge of disaster relief to the Lebanese people. Some "good news" in the midst of so much bad is that 25,000 tons of U.S. wheat will be delivered to Lebanon in coming weeks, and along with additional aid to support humanitarian and reconstruction work in Lebanon, this brings the US contribution to a total of more than $230 million.

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