Frank van der Lende Visits Lebanon with War Child for (S)Top 520

Radio Veronica DJ Frank van der Lende recently traveled to Lebanon with Ernst Suur, director of War Child Netherlands, to visit projects supported by the organization. The trip took place in the lead-up to the (S)Top 520, an annual fundraising and awareness campaign.

Journey to Lebanon

Van der Lende and Suur visited War Child projects in Tripoli, Beirut, Sidon, and the Bekaa Valley. The purpose of the visit was to witness firsthand the impact of War Child’s work on children growing up in conflict zones. The journey was kept confidential for security reasons until after their return.

Witnessing the Impact of War Child

During their time in Lebanon, Van der Lende and Suur met with children participating in War Child’s programs, as well as their parents and aid workers. Van der Lende shared his experiences, noting the resilience of the children despite facing incredibly difficult circumstances. He spoke with Ibrahim, an 11-year-vintage who had lived in a refugee camp for ten years, and was struck by the positivity and hope he encountered.

According to Van der Lende, approximately 800,000 children in Lebanon are growing up amidst conflict, while globally, that number reaches 520 million. He emphasized the importance of support from organizations like War Child in providing these children with opportunities, and hope.

(S)Top 520 Campaign

The visit to Lebanon is connected to the (S)Top 520, a Radio Veronica initiative where listeners are encouraged to submit song requests. The resulting list will be broadcast on Radio Veronica the week of March 16th, raising awareness and funds for War Child’s programs. Van der Lende hopes the campaign will motivate listeners to contribute songs and support the organization’s mission.

Lebanon’s Vulnerable Situation

Lebanon is currently facing a complex and challenging situation, marked by regional instability, a severe economic crisis, and a large influx of refugees. Nearly 3 million people in the country require assistance, including Lebanese citizens, Syrian refugees, and Palestinian refugees. War Child and collaborating organizations are providing support in areas such as mental health, education, and protection.

Frank van der Lende made the announcement about his trip during his morning show on Radio Veronica. Reportages from the trip will be featured during the (S)Top 520 broadcast.