Ongoing airstrikes, mostly in the south of Lebanon but also reaching the east and northeast, have resulted in more than 500 people being killed and more than 1,800 injured, with numerous women and children among the casualties.

Describing the deteriorating situation, Giacomo Lapo Baldini, Lebanon Country Director at Relief International says,

“Following the intensification of attacks, the number of people being displaced is far surpassing 100,000. Civilians are being forced to flee to Beirut, Chouf, Aley, and the north of the country in the hopes of escaping the ongoing violence in the south and Dahyie.

“Families are arriving at collective shelters with very little and they are in desperate need of basic supplies like mattresses to sleep on and soap to wash with. People are distressed and in need of mental health support. They are fearful about the violence, the escalating situation, and the uncertainty of what will happen in the future.

“Medical supplies at our health facilities in the south, Beirut, Mount Lebanon and Beqaa are at risk of depleting rapidly due to the amount of acute trauma care required over recent days. The prospect of running out of stock entirely is a real possibility but we are doing everything we can to secure more.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Health and the rest of the humanitarian community to respond to this crisis. We are currently assessing the needs on the ground and are planning our response; providing hygiene kits to displaced communities and coordinating how we can best support in the longer term.

“Moving forward, more funding is desperately required to support primary health care centres, to restock medical supplies, and to support newly displaced communities. We condemn the ongoing hostilities and call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire.”  

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About Relief International in Lebanon 

Relief International provides life-saving healthcare services, education programming, and livelihoods assistance to Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees. Health services include primary health consultations, mental health services, immunization, communicable and non-communicable disease treatment, severe and moderate acute malnutrition screening and treatment and dignity kit distribution. Over 1,300 children are receiving retention and remedial support through cash for education. The organization supports farmers and businesses in the South, North, Akkar, and Beqaa governorates to improve resilience and livelihoods. Relief International established operations in Lebanon in 2007 and has been engaged in emergency responses since 2012. 

About Relief International 

Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Our team of more than 7,000 staff and local volunteers work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience. We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.