Delivering lifesaving aid
Since 23 September, 1,700 people, including children, have been killed and almost 10,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes across the country.
More than a million people have been displaced in Lebanon and hundreds of thousands have fled into Syria.
“We expect the numbers to continue to rise as Israel widens the geographical scope of its attacks. People don’t know where to go or if it is going to be safe where they are going. More than 250,000 people have already fled across the border into Syria,” said Nathan Carey, NRC’s regional head of advocacy.
Our colleagues on the ground report that entire families have been wiped out.
“One extended Syrian refugee family of over 20 members was killed in a single attack in Bekaa,” Carey told us.
People are sleeping in the open
Some people are sleeping in their cars, while others spend their nights on the street, at bus stations or outside hospitals.
“We are particularly worried about densely populated neighbourhoods being targeted. Some people have already been displaced twice. People have run out of shelter options. Nealy 900 schools, mosques and churches are serving as collective shelters, but most of them are now full,” Carey continued.
The situation in shelters is “shocking,” our Shelter Officer, Mersal Kalaoun, said. “Every day is worse than the day before. Today is better than tomorrow. Now is better than this evening. Some shelters that opened were at full capacity within half an hour as people poured in. Some families have been separated, with each parent staying in a different place,” she continued.
In the collective shelters, there are no showers or bathing areas. “Two or three families are packed up together in the same classroom even if they don’t know each other, leaving many without sufficient privacy,” said Maureen Philippon, NRC’s Country Director in Lebanon.
We stay and deliver
The Norwegian Refugee Council provides humanitarian aid to displaced Lebanese, and to Syrian and Palestinian refugees across Lebanon, including the areas that are now under bombardment.
“Our teams are currently all accounted for, but we fear that these strikes will have a devastating impact on our lifeline to the communities we serve. They have already endured months of conflict, crossfire and deprivation,” said Carey.
In the aftermath of the recent Israeli attacks, our teams are providing urgent aid to those affected. NRC is working across the country, in cities and towns where people have found safety, to distribute essential items to displaced families.
Our emergency response
Our team in the south, many of whom have been forced to flee themselves, are back at work in Saida and Tyre, where they have delivered blankets, mattresses, solar lamps and water.
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“Most of those displaced into collective shelters arrived without any belongings. They had no food, water or medication, and insufficient clothes. There are no sleeping arrangements, and the few latrines and showers lack basic facilities and products,” Carey explained.
In the collective shelters across the country, we are:
- distributing food, water, hygiene items and cleaning supplies
- repairing toilet facilities, installing portable showers and water tanks, and organising water trucking
- improving privacy and living conditions
In addition to this, we’re fast-tracking the delivery of civil documents to people who may need to travel and providing information on legal residency for Syrians refugees or migrants.
“Despite the enormous challenges, our teams in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, and the North and South governorates will do all they can to bring support and relief to those affected by the attacks,” Carey concluded.