Fellow Rotarians,
Dear Friends,

At a time when Lebanon is witnessing one of its most critical and most painful phases in modern History, the twenty Rotary Clubs in Lebanon are sending you this joint appeal.

Lebanon, a country known for its multi-confessional plurality, for its sense of tolerance of democracy and freedom, is now on the verge of destruction.

In the name of the Lebanese besieged and grieving people;

In the name of the Rotary humanitarian values which we constantly call upon;

In the name of Peace for which we strive year after year;

In the name of Service above Self;

In the name of Human right and Conscience;

We call upon all of you to take note of the following:

Ever since July 12th, harmless civilians, mostly women and children, have seen their houses reduced to rubble, their villages demolished, their roads and bridges cut off, and their hopes for a better future smashed;

As a result of indiscriminate and ruthless bombing, hundreds of innocent civilians have been killed and thousands wounded;

Almost one third of the population has been internally displaced and is now living in temporary shelters often without public amenities and are in dire need of basic items such as clothes, water, food, medicines, and mattresses;

The Lebanese Public Health Systems is overwhelmed with hospitals and clinics in combat areas totally isolated and lacking all essentials;

The country’s infrastructure has been particularly targeted: The road network has been totally disabled, power plants and water works were destroyed, airports and harbors were damaged and air and maritime traffic has been stopped; telecommunication stations and relays have been hit causing major disruption; and fuel storage tanks were set on fire causing environmental disasters;

A complete sea and sky blockade and a partial terrestrial blockade forbid any arrival of good, medicines, fuel,…. Only a few planes and boats are allowed to enter Lebanese territory to bring a minimum of humanitarian help.

More specifically, the whole industrial sector has suffered major losses with whole factories wiped out: dairy factories, glass factories, steel factories, detergent factories, paper factories, etc. etc.

An ongoing tally of the damages and losses suffered by the Lebanese economy since July 12th has now reached $3 billion and counting.

In the face of this disastrous situation,

The Lebanese Rotary Clubs, meeting in a joint session on August 1st, 2006, have decided the following:

1. To extend their most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to express their wishes of quick and safe recovery to all the wounded and injured.
2. To denounce the horrible crimes perpetrated against the Lebanese civilians.
3. To establish a permanent committee in charge of continuously monitoring the situation and keeping close records of the internally displaced and their needs while identifying various tools for their relief.
4. To appeal to the International Rotarian community to support the Lebanese Clubs in their efforts in alleviating the physical, moral and financial needs of the stricken Lebanese population.
5. To create to this effect a bank account where relief funds can be deposited:
   Rotary Association-Lebanon
   Audi Bank – Bab Idriss Branch
   Account# 841200
   Swift Code: AUDBLBBX
6. To prepare a nationwide project for the reconstruction of Lebanon.