The UN High Commissioner for Refugees warns that the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is worsening, despite the ceasefire, with new displacements, destruction of homes and fear for civilians.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire that came into effect on April 17, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has not only not ended, but continues to worsen, according to a new warning from the UN Refugee Agency.
UNHCR Representative in Lebanon, Karolina Lindholm Billing, said from Geneva that ongoing airstrikes, shelling, demolitions and movement restrictions continue to cause new displacements and dramatically increase humanitarian needs.
Although Beirut has not been attacked in recent weeks and international attention has diminished, civilians in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region continue to live in fear and uncertainty.
According to the data presented, at least 380 people have lost their lives since April 17, despite the announced ceasefire. At the same time, massive destruction has been recorded in homes and basic infrastructure in many areas of the country.
Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research announced that in the first three days of the ceasefire alone, 428 homes were destroyed, while another 50 suffered serious damage.
Thousands of families are trying to return to their homes, but often find themselves faced with a harsh reality: destroyed neighborhoods, lack of electricity and water, destroyed schools and hospitals, and the constant danger of unexploded ordnance.
UNHCR describes a vicious cycle for many families, who temporarily return to their homes only to be forced to flee again as conditions remain extremely dangerous.
Particularly shocking are the testimonies of people who revisited their homes and found them completely destroyed. As Karolina Lindholm Billing reported, several families from Nabatiya and Tyre returned to temporary shelters, having no more belongings to return to.
At the same time, cross-border movements continue. Since early March, more than 310.000 Syrians have fled Lebanon and crossed into Syria, stating that they had no other choice.
UNHCR also warns that international funding for Lebanon remains extremely limited. Only 38% of the required humanitarian resources have been met so far, making it difficult to continue providing support to those affected.
Despite the difficulties, the UN continues to work with the Lebanese authorities and international organizations, providing emergency shelter, financial assistance and basic necessities to the displaced.
UNHCR concludes that this fragile ceasefire must be maintained so that families can return safely to their homes and an even greater humanitarian tragedy in the Middle East can be avoided.
Sources / Websites
- UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency
• ReliefWeb – UNHCR Lebanon Briefing
• Reuters – Humanitarian crisis and displacements in Lebanon
• Reuters – The situation in Lebanon and the shelters for displaced people
• Le Monde – The security zone in southern Lebanon
• The Guardian – Fears of prolonged conflict in Lebanon
• Reuters – UN calls situation a “major humanitarian crisis”
From the Greek News FL journalistic team
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