ARF calls for helping Armenians in Lebanon 

ArmInfo.The ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau called for a helping hand to the Lebanese Armenians amid security threats in the country. Thus, the ARF Bureau statement recalls that the crisis in Lebanon, which began in October  2019, is today expressed in a new and dangerous manifestation. 

"Since September 2024, the country has been under constant attack,  and war is reigning in Lebanon. The south of Lebanon - Beirut and its  southern suburbs Pekaa, Paalpek and many other areas are subject to  intense bombardment. About 3,000 people have already died, another  13,000 have been injured. Residential buildings have been completely  destroyed, land plots have been burned. According to official data,  the number of internal migrants has exceeded 1 million 200 thousand  people. People fleeing the war sought refuge in relatively safer  areas throughout Lebanon, including Purch Hamout, Ainjar and other  areas populated by Armenians. Armenian citizens and Armenian regions  have not suffered serious damage from the war," the ARF statement  said.

It is emphasized that the Central Committee of the ARF in Lebanon  closely follows the political, military and social developments in  the country. It is added that constant communication and cooperation  with the national authorities, Armenian parties, comradely  associations and charitable institutions contribute to the work of  maintaining the security of the colony and finding solutions to the  difficulties that have arisen.

"However, the situation remains very alarming, given the lack of  immediate political solutions. In the current reality, it is  necessary to strengthen the work to ensure security. It is necessary  to keep our educational institutions open. It is necessary to reach  those in need, the number of which will naturally increase over time.

Our organization with its clubs, offices and satellite structures,  while actively working, has reached the lowest level of its  capabilities and has a serious problem of survival," the ARF  statement continues.

The Dashnaktsakans note that people in Lebanon are in difficult  socio-economic conditions.

"Employers and commercial establishments have closed or are under  threat of closing. Unemployment has increased, prices for goods are  extremely low, rents for apartments have increased, and living  conditions have become more difficult due to immigrants.

In view of this situation, it is necessary to unite. Together we must  contribute to the survival of our structures, without which the  Lebanese-Armenians are in serious danger.

There is no need to repeat once again the pan-Armenian significance  of the Middle Eastern communities in general and Lebanon in  particular. Therefore, in the current difficult conditions, we should  consider it our duty to extend a helping hand to the  Lebanese-Armenians.

For this purpose, fundraising has already begun in some of our  regions, and it will soon begin in other regions. We call on our  people at the time of this new crisis to resolutely support the  Lebanese-Armenians and take an active part," the ARF statement reads.