ACTION: updated

Agenda:
1. Petition Bush and your representatives.
There's two letters to take action on, 1) petition for immediate ceasefire addressed to our prez, and 2) letter to your representative asking support for Kucinich's Resolution (H Con Res 450) for ceasefire.

2. Donate, donate, donate!!!
Seems that it's more efficient to donate funds rather than supplies, for reasons I'll explain in a moment. Mercy Corps and Lebanese Red Cross participate in TANs (transnational advocacy networks) and were the first relief orgs to mobilize in Lebanon by means of preexisting field programs. Mercy Corps concentrates on the displaced refugee crisis and Lebanese Red Cross is well, the national relief org (and not linked with Tayyar!). THEY NEED YOUR MONEY! and compassion, generosity, recognition....

As for supplies, the Mercy Corps offices in Portland, OR are currently closed for the weekend so I don't know how that works. And the Lebanese Red Cross told me that they are receiving meds, food, etc. through the International Red Cross in Geneva, which purchases standardized supplies and will not accept in-kind donations.

Please please make a tax-deductible donation now and don't wait for the Bush/Clinton/Bush tipping point for humanitarian support.

I'll keep the other NGOs listed because they totally need support.
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1) Al Huda Society for Social Care is a civic non profit organization based and active in Beirut. The Society was established in 1987 during the Lebanese civil war. It has been active in providing social care for underprivileged families in Beirut, responding to the needs of each era. Its activities included launching a sponsorship program for children, who were orphaned during the 1975-1990 war; providing a day care services center for children; organizing summer camps for children of the occupied zone in South Lebanon (before 2000); providing assistance and relief for internally displaced families during the Israeli attack on Lebanon in April 2006; and establishing Nasma Learning and Resource Centre for students in public schools in the Ras Beirut area.
In light of the Israeli attack on Lebanon at this time, thousands of families have fled the most afflicted areas to become refugees in other parts of their country, including Beirut . Al-Huda Society has redirected its resources to cater to the needs of as many families as possible. Currently it is responsible for the welfare of around 200 displaced families in the Ras Beirut area. It is distributing daily rations to each family with the cost of each ration being 15 USD. The Society aspires to increase the number of families in its care, as the number of families fleeing the Israeli bombardment is continuously increasing. The essential condition for achieving this goal is increasing resources, namely financial.

In this respect all assistance is needed. Please send your donations to:
Account Name: Al Houda Society Account No. 02 43020 047465
Bank: Bankmed Branch: Makdessi Branch Via: Bank of New York , New York
A/C No. 8900057343 UID: CH035040 SWIFT: MEDLLBBX

2) http://www.cicr.org/donation

3) FARAh EL AATA (OFFRE JOIE) mobile: (+961) 3 719 579

address:nazaret school and sagesse schoolclemenceau streetbeirut

account holder: FARAH EL AATA (OFFRE JOIE)

account number: 586 816 bank: AUDI BANK

SWIFT: AUDBLBBX

4) SOCIETE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL

Contacts: jad.bitar@hec.ca or joanne@karkour.com

Account holder: Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul

Bank: Banque Audi

Account number: US$: 088587/461/002/009/39

SWIFT : AUDBLBBX

5) Caritas LibanTel: 01/499767- 01/483305

E-Mail: executive@caritas.org.lb

Website: www.caritas.org.lb

To donate:Banque Nationale de Paris Intercontinentale(BNPI)Compte en $ ou L.L : 136,932,001,24Société Générale de Banque au Liban (SGBL)Compte en $: 001,004,360,208002,01,1Compte en L.L.: 001,001,360,208002,01,6Banque Libano Française (BLF)Compte en $: 215974,70Compte en L.L.: 215974,70FransabankCompte en $ : 327924,85Compte en L.L.: 327924,85

=== Needed supplies =======================

1) FOOD (Priority)Pasta (Spaghetti)FlourBreadRiceSugarOilCanned FoodPowder MilkCereals (lentils, beans, peas, …)Pasteurized cheese (picon, smeds….)WATER

2) UTILITIESBlanketsSleeping Mats (PRIORITY)Cooking potsDishMetal spoonMugCookersGas containersCandlesMatches

3) HYGIENESoap BarMulti-purpose detergentSanitary towels for womenToilet paperSoft tissuesDiapers for children from 0-2 years oldToothpasteToothbrushShampoo

4) MEDICALMulti-vitaminsIronMulti-purpose analgesic (Panadol, Tylenol)Sterile bandagesAlcoholMercurochromeBandagesAntiseptic lotion