BEIRUT, Lebanon - As Lebanon's worst internal fighting in 17 years continues to rage in and around the Naher el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp, World Vision is calling for today's ceasefire to hold in order to deliver humanitarian aid to the 30,000 civilians trapped inside.

"We are talking about an overcrowded, impoverished settlement where more than one-third of the refugees are children," said Ruba Khoury, World Vision's project manager for Lebanon. "If everyday life was a challenge for these families before this fighting, it is a nightmare now."

World Vision works with local partner agencies to run educational and vocational programs for vulnerable Palestinian refugees—including disabled youth, women and children. The organization is concerned about the welfare of civilians who lack access to water, electricity, medicine or food.

World Vision is planning to send in local relief staff to assess the most urgent needs and begin delivering aid as soon as safe passage can be assured. The most urgent needs will likely be for water, food, emergency medical care and medicine, Khoury said.

"Even on its best days, Naher el-Bared camp looks like another country from the rest of Lebanon. You can smell sewage and see dangerous wires protruding onto narrow streets where barefoot, unsupervised children play," describes Khoury. "Without meaningful job prospects, these children don't have a very promising future to look forward to. World Vision is trying to change that with innovative programs and training, but right now we can't even get inside to make sure our children are safe."

World Vision has served in Lebanon for 25 years, conducting extensive community development programs. World Vision donors worldwide support 12,600 children in Lebanon.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Motivated by our Christian faith, we serve all people regardless of religion, race, gender or ethnicity. For more information, please visit WorldVision.ca.

-30-