The United Nations has allocated $10 million in emergency funds to address the dire humanitarian situation in Lebanon. The acting UN relief chief made the announcement amid growing concerns over the catastrophic conditions faced by civilians due to ongoing violence.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israeli airstrikes have continued to impact civilian lives and infrastructure for five consecutive days. Imran Riza, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, described the situation as extremely severe, noting that violence has spread to previously unaffected regions, resulting in widespread devastation.
"We are witnessing the deadliest period in Lebanon in a generation, and many express their fear that this is just the beginning," Riza said. He reported that within a week, at least 700 people have lost their lives, thousands have sustained injuries, and nearly 120,000 have been displaced. Since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, more than 1,500 civilians have died, and over 200,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.
OCHA stated that they are collaborating closely with the Lebanese Government to aid in the humanitarian response, providing essentials like food, mattresses, hygiene kits, and emergency medical supplies. However, Riza highlighted persistent funding gaps in crucial areas such as shelter repair, food, and fuel.
UN Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya allocated the $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund, which is in addition to a previous $10 million released from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, OCHA warned that displaced individuals are living in extremely poor conditions, which could worsen with the approaching cold and rainy winter. Recent assessments conducted in collective shelters in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis revealed alarming shortages of basic necessities.
In one site, a school turned into a shelter by the UN relief agency UNRWA was overcrowded with over 3,500 residents. OCHA reported that classrooms were packed with up to 100 people each, while access to clean water and healthcare was severely limited. Many residents are surviving on just one meal a day.
Another site, a makeshift camp in Abasan, hosts about 2,500 individuals, including nearly 1,000 school-aged children. This area is prone to flooding and lacks medical facilities, with food support provided only sporadically by charity organizations.
Humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza have faced significant barriers, with nearly 90 percent of planned movements between northern and southern regions in September either denied or obstructed.
In the West Bank, OCHA reported an increase of over 20 percent in internal movement obstacles set up by Israeli forces since June 2023. Following the attacks on October 7, movement restrictions have tightened, affecting Palestinian permit-holders and their access to East Jerusalem and Israel.
OCHA emphasized that the cumulative effect of these movement barriers has exacerbated living conditions for many Palestinians, disrupting access to essential services and livelihoods. The conflict has also severely impacted health facilities in the West Bank, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 527 attacks on healthcare since October 7, compromising the safety of medical personnel and patients.
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