|PIC1|An appeal launched by BibleLands in response to last summer's Israel-Lebanon conflict has now surpassed the £200,000 mark, thanks to the generosity of British Christians.

During the conflict, BibleLands' Project Partners in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley opened their doors to refugees and the charity sent emergency funding to help them cope with the extra demands of feeding and housing these displaced people. Now Lebanon is looking to the future, and BibleLands is helping to support those whose homes were damaged in the fighting.

"We are delighted with the hugely generous response to this appeal," said BibleLands' Director, Nigel Edward-Few. "Not only has it enabled us to meet the immediate needs of our projects in Lebanon, but also to help the Lebanese people in the longer term as they seek to rebuild their fragile economy."

Part of the funds raised will be used to reconstruct bomb-damaged houses in the southern Lebanese village of Qana, which was particularly badly hit by air strikes at the end of July.

Around 140 families suffered some degree of damage to their homes, and BibleLands will work with Habitat for Humanity Lebanon to assist those among them who do not qualify for any government aid.

"The priority is to make homes watertight against the rainy Lebanese winter," continued Mr Edward-Few. "In the small Lebanese communities such as Qana, there is a strong tradition of 'aouni' - mutual help - and together with Habitat for Humanity we will be building on this tradition to help low-income families and elderly people get their homes repaired."

For further information on BibleLands and its work in Lebanon, please visit www.biblelands.org.uk