Lebanon: UNHCR head issues call for urgent aid to avert humanitarian disaster
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, more than 2,000 Lebanese have been killed and nearly 10,000 injured since Israel began its offensive against Hamas in Gaza a year ago.
Israel stepped up its bombing campaign across Lebanon following the killing of the Hezbollah leader last month and Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israeli cities, aimed at allowing some 60,000 Israelis to return to their homes. they were in the north, where missiles were fired across the United Nations. – The patrolled blue dividing line caused mass evacuations on both sides.
UNHCR Police Chief Filippo Grandi, who arrived in the capital Beirut on Saturday, said hundreds of thousands of people had been left in dire straits in recent days and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Two weeks of deadly Israeli airstrikes have forced more than a million people to flee their homes. Mr. Grandi visited Beirut to express solidarity with Lebanon and mobilize further support for all those affected, both Lebanese and refugees.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visits Lebanon on a solidarity mission as humanitarian needs grow.
Tragic number of people
The conflict ravaging the country is disrupting urgently needed supply shipments, UNHCR said, calling for supply routes to be maintained in and out of Lebanon so the flow of aid can continue .
During his visit, Mr. Grandi met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and other senior officials, along with senior humanitarians, UNHCR staff and displaced families.
“Today I witnessed the tragic toll this war is taking on entire communities,” Mr. Grandi said.
“International humanitarian law must be respected and cannot be ignored. Families became homeless, stuck outdoors with traumatized children unable to understand what was happening. They all told me how much they wanted to feel safe and how much they wanted the air strikes to stop so they could return to their towns and villages.”
He said that “helping those affected by the recent escalation is an urgent moral imperative.” They should not pay the price for their abject failure to find a political solution and end this vicious cycle of violence. Now, in this time of great need, the world must come to Lebanon’s aid.”
With large numbers of people internally displaced in just two weeks, government-run shelters are overwhelmed and UNHCR is working with humanitarian partners and authorities to urgently find safe havens for those forced to flee.
UNHCR relief
UNHCR is also providing people with essential relief items, cash assistance, shelter support, medical care and other support. But the international community must significantly increase funding for humanitarian organizations to fully respond, the agency said on Sunday.
UNHCR has launched an appeal for $111 million to support one million displaced people in Lebanon until the end of 2024, as part of a wider UN appeal for $425.7 million USD.
Mr. Grandi’s visit to Lebanon included meeting with displaced Syrian refugees in Beirut’s Nabaa neighborhood.
“I appreciate Lebanon’s generosity in hosting so many refugees over the years – including those forced to flee Syria – despite the significant challenges the country has faced. face. These refugees are now forced to flee again with scarce resources and no safe place to go.”
UNIFIL warning
The United Nations peacekeeping mission patrols the Green Line and assists civilians in southern Lebanon, UNITHave expressed deep concern about military activity by the Israel Defense Forces near one of the delegation’s positions inside Lebanese territory.
UNIFIL said all its Blue Helmets remained in place at observation points and bases along the dividing line as requested by the United Nations.
“The IDF has been informed multiple times about this ongoing situation through normal channels,” UNIFIL said in a tweet. This is an extremely dangerous development.”
“It is unacceptable to compromise the safety of UN peacekeepers carrying out their duties. Security Council– assigned tasks.”
UNIFIL reminds all combatants of their obligation to protect United Nations personnel and property.
In an update on the situation facing Irish soldiers serving at UNIFIL, the Irish Defense Forces said in a post on X that despite “difficult conditions”, personnel remained steadfast with determination and resilience to complete the mission.”
