|PIC1|Christian Aid has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East at a press conference held Thursday in Beirut, just one day after it warned that Lebanon was standing on the brink of a major humanitarian crisis in the country.

Dominic Nutt, Christian Aid’s emergency specialist, currently stationed in Beirut, told journalists: “At the moment we are struggling to cope. Water and fuel is running out. We need an immediate ceasefire and money for our partners.”

The repeated call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon is an attempt to avert a major humanitarian crisis as the aid agency warns that it needs £2.5 million in the short term to deal with the enormous needs of the nearly one million people displaced as a result of the conflict.

According to Christian Aid, partner organisations in Lebanon are relying on local supplies but have reported they will run dry of perishable food and medical supplies in a matter of days. Sanitary products, hygiene items, underwear, nappies, and milk and food for children are also in urgent demand.

The Christian Aid partners also plan to begin trauma counselling in regions around Beirut, Saida and the Bekaa valley where they are working to support people who have fled the conflict.

|TOP|“There are 900,000 people we think who have fled the fighting and their homes and therefore their means of making a living,” said Mr Nutt, who was joined by representatives of Oxfam, Save the Children and Islamic Refuge at the press conference.

“Tony Blair's policy is having the opposite effect that he wants it to. He is driving moderate, normal people into the arms of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is feeding people who have been displaced in Beirut.

”They are doing the hearts and minds job that Tony Blair wants to do with bombs.”

Mr Nutt added: “We are calling on Tony Blair to have the moral courage to reverse his policy and call without qualification for an immediate ceasefire.”

|AD|The conflict in parts of Lebanon has made it increasingly difficult for aid supplies to be brought to the people most in need throughout the region.

“We can venture out individually to some places but it is too dangerous for big convoys. There is no guarantee of safety. It has not improved for aid workers or the population,” said Mr Nutt.

Christian Aid partners are ready to enter areas in the south as soon as the situation makes it possible.

“If Tony Blair calls for a ceasefire today we can bring bread in tomorrow,” Mr Nutt added.

Christian Aid partners have stated their intention to remain in the region for the long haul to help the displaced masses make the difficult return to their homes. The partners will also support the returnees in the reconstruction of their lives and livelihoods.