UNITED NATIONS, Oct 2 (IPS) – Escalating hostilities between Israel and Lebanon have already threatened the safety of more than 1 million civilians. They urge the Lebanese government and the United Nations to take swift humanitarian action and request international support.
On Tuesday, October 1, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza launched a $426 million emergency appeal to mobilize resources in support of civilians affected by the hostilities and the evolving humanitarian situation.
The appeal aims to support government-led emergency response from October to December 2024. It aims to provide life-saving assistance for immediate needs, such as food, shelter, healthcare, water and municipal services. Funds will be allocated to humanitarian partners working together in emergency response.
“This is a critical moment that requires the immediate attention and action of the international community,” Mikati said. “I urge all countries to increase their support in providing humanitarian assistance and use their influence to end the violence.”
The call launched today would aim to address the new and existing humanitarian needs of affected citizens. It will support the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) 2024, which provides the main framework for an integrated humanitarian plan in the country.
“Our goal is to build on and strengthen the strong cooperation and cooperation that already exists, by working closely with the government and our partner ministries at both national and sub-national levels,” said Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza.
“Without sufficient resources, humanitarians risk leaving the people of an entire country without the support they urgently need,” he said.
According to the report released in response to the call, the humanitarian response continues to face multiple challenges. In addition to limited funding, humanitarian partners on the ground have also reported that securing unhindered access to critical areas is a concern. Reaching affected groups in southern Lebanon is a problem, where traffic congestion limits access to shelters. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the number of internally displaced people will only increase as the Israeli army issues evacuation orders, including for 30 villages in southern Lebanon.
Senior leaders in the UN system, including the Secretary General, are calling for a ceasefire or end to hostilities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres implored the international community to “urgently support” the call. In a statement, spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was “extremely concerned about the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon” and called for an immediate ceasefire.
“All-out war in Lebanon must be avoided at all costs, and Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected,” Dujarric said.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell also called for a ceasefire in the region. In a statement issued on Monday, she warned that humanitarian conditions were deteriorating by the hour as the violence intensified. She added that 300,000 children were responsible for the 1 million displaced.
“Any ground offensive or further escalation in Lebanon would worsen a catastrophic situation for children. Such an outcome must be avoided at all costs,” she said. “We reiterate our call on all parties to protect children and civilian infrastructure, and ensure that humanitarian actors can safely reach all those in need – in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
UNICEF, together with its partners and fellow UN agencies, has provided emergency supplies such as emergency hygiene kits, food and sleeping bags. In addition to child protection services and psychosocial support for children, UNICEF has also supported nearly 200 collective shelters in Lebanon, housing 50,000 displaced people, by providing essential services.
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