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Lebanon

Lebanon: Deminers back in action as critical task awaits in southern Lebanon

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DanChurchAid – Copenhagen 6 December 2024

Despite the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, most of the Lebanese people displaced over the past three months have already started returning to their homes. However, for most, it is not a happy homecoming.

According to the World Bank, up to 100,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, a quarter of the country has been impacted by Israeli evacuation orders and airstrikes, and large areas are contaminated by remnants of war, including unexploded ordnance, cluster munitions and missile debris.

“We are incredibly busy cleaning up after yet another war. We’ve already received reports of a child who died after returning home, because he picked up a cluster munition. Preventing this at all costs is our top priority. Our deminers have reported back for duty and are ready to deploy” says Secretary-General Jonas Nøddekær.

The next step is to begin operations in southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border, where DanChurchAid is trying to reopen its office in the city of Tyre. The office had been closed for a prolonged period, and the southern part of the country has been hit the hardest. We need to go where the needs are the greatest.

“There is a significant number of hazardous debris and unexploded ammunition that needs to be removed, including mines and cluster munitions. People cannot safely return until we have done our work. Parallel to that, we’ll assist with rebuilding efforts. We are in close dialogue with the UN, Danish Government, local authorities, and the communities. If the ceasefire holds, we can begin work and hopefully secure more support for the efforts, as it will be needed for the years to come,” says Jonas Nøddekær.

DanChurchAid has been working on humanitarian demining in Lebanon for the past 20 years. Our efforts in the south have been focused along the so-called Blue Line, a temporary border established by the UN in 2000 to mark Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Lebanon is still littered with tens of thousands of mines and cluster munitions, and it is now further contaminated by this latest war’s remnants, posing a severe threat to civilians and hindering agriculture, trade, and safe returns. Many Lebanese people must prepare for a long wait before returning to normal life.

“Since day one of the escalations, DCA teams distributed 3,000 to 4,000 meals daily to internally displaced people housed in centers in Beirut and the coastal city of Saida. We also provided water, matresses, blankets and hygiene items to people in need. Now, we will do the same in the southern part of the country until people can return safely to their homes. But it will take time,” concludes Jonas Nøddekær. ***

CONTACT Poul Kjar

Head of Press

pkja@dca.dk

+45 4186 5975

Otto Lykketoft

Press Advisor

otly@dca.dk

+45 2870 5780