Anwar Al Awad, 14, an orphan sponsored by Islamic Relief was killed
in his sister's home near Sidon in Lebanon on 8 August when Israeli
rockets hit a neighbouring house.
Anwar's
family had been staying with his sister in the Ein El-Helwa refugee
camp outside Sidon. They fled there from their home further south near
Tyre when the conflict started.
Injured
The Palestinian
refugee camp was targeted in a military strike, which caused a large
electric pylon to crash down upon the house. There were 18 people
inside at the time. Most of them were injured, including Anwar's
brother, Ahmad, 15, who is now in intensive care.
Ahmad, 15, is in intensive care following the attack
Anwar died at the scene. Ahmad was taken to the Hammoud Hospital in
Sidon with a fractured pelvis and wounds to the face. Ahmad's condition
remains critical. He is losing a lot of blood and needs blood
transfusions. His doctors fear that his life will be in danger if the
bleeding does not stop soon.
Speaking
from Lebanon, Marc-Andre LaGrange, Head of Mission, said, “Everybody
here is deeply shocked by the death of our orphan in Sidon.”
Sponsorship
Both
brothers were supported by Islamic Relief's One-to-One Sponsorship
scheme which allows IR donors to support an orphaned child in Asia,
Africa, the Middle East or Eastern Europe.
With
the help of a local partner organisation, donors are currently
sponsoring over 700 Palestinian orphans living in refugee camps in
Lebanon. Many have been displaced by the conflict.
IR
aid workers monitor the welfare of sponsored orphans ensuring that
their needs in terms of food, shelter, healthcare, education and
emotional support are met.
In a war zone, however, there is no safe place for children.
Help Islamic Relief to ease the suffering in Lebanon and Palestine - donate online now.