UN humanitarian aid workers in the Lebanese capital Beirut said efforts to help the needy were underway amid Israeli airstrikes last night.
Imran Riza, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, said families of humanitarian aid workers have also been displaced and are seeking shelter.
Jeanine Hennis, the special coordinator for Lebanon, said civilians in Beirut had yet another sleepless night. Waiting for the explosion to shake the city. Without warning sirens. Not knowing what will happen next. There is only uncertainty. Fear and impatience prevail everywhere.
The violent conflict in Lebanon has left nearly one million people displaced and seeking safety. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says these attacks have had a profound impact on civilians, and thousands are still displaced.
According to the UN agency, the people affected by the conflict in Lebanon urgently need the support of the international community. Food, hygiene materials, medical care and other assistance must be provided.
The UN agency says there is deep anxiety and trauma among ordinary citizens and this is a major challenge.
Unspeakable situation
Ivo Friesen, a UNHCR official, said based on conversations with local people that they could die at any time and the pressure they are facing is indescribable.
Local communities in southern Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes due to the increasingly violent conflict. Among them are Zeenab and Fatima. He was getting ready to go to school at his home when the bombing started. At that time he felt that his house was going to collapse.
14-year-old Zeenab told the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that our mother told us to gather our things quickly and we left in a hurry. After a harrowing journey they reached Beirut, but even there the sound of bombings and explosions was heard everywhere.
To provide assistance to children affected by violence in Lebanon, the United Nations Children’s Fund is engaged in providing them with water, health, nutrition, education and psychosocial services.
The World Food Program (WFP) has provided hot meals, food packets, sandwiches and emergency cash assistance to nearly 130,000 newly displaced people.
According to the UN agency, environmental degradation in Lebanon has increased the demand for food and all parties must maintain access to humanitarian aid routes.