UN: Situation in Lebanon threatens to worsen humanitarian crisis

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed that a quarter of Lebanese territory is threatened by Israeli occupation forces with bombing and evacuation, which exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

The office said in a statement on its website: “The Israeli air strikes have not only intensified, but have expanded to areas that were not previously affected, and vital civilian infrastructure has been significantly targeted,” noting the deterioration of the health sector in Lebanon due to the ongoing attacks on health care facilities and workers, and the education sector is facing enormous challenges after the majority of public schools were occupied as shelters for displaced people from villages and towns in the south.

In the same context, UN officials warned that Lebanon is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis with an increase in the number of internally displaced persons.

The UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, explained that “Lebanon is facing a conflict and a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions,” expressing her hope that the occupation entity is ready to support the many calls to stop the escalation.

As the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, said: “Lebanon is facing one of the bloodiest periods in its modern history,” noting that “600,000 people have been internally displaced, more than 350,000 of them children.” According to the latest figures announced by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, the number of victims since the start of the Israeli aggression has risen to 2,141 martyrs and 10,099 wounded.

NRT