KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Negotiations on Destroyed Bridge
Continue
UNIFIL efforts seek concurrence with the IDF over the reinstallation of the provisional bridge over the Litani River continue. South-bound aid convoys were unable to reach Tyre while civilians remained unable to leave.
Fuel Shortages Remain Serious Concern
There has been no improvement in the fuel situation with two tankers carrying 87,000 MT fuel remaining off the Lebanese coast. The fuel shortage is now having a direct impact on humanitarian activities with some hospitals having closed. A WHO fuel convoy to Saida did not receive IDF concurrence for movement today.
Oil Spill Reaches Syrian Coast
Heavy fuel oil from the badly damaged power plant on the coast near Beirut has now reached the Syrian coast. It is feared major health, livelihood and other problems may result from the massive spill.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
1. The aid pipeline for IDPs and civilians trapped in South Lebanon is being severely hampered by the security situation. Supplies of fuel, medicines, food, water and sanitation equipment, bedding and other urgently required items cannot consistently reach the worst affected areas.
2. With overland routes becoming increasingly difficult to use, the UN Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC) is working to solidify sea and air routes. UNJLC reports that some 500mt of relief materials have been transported on 19 flights so far by the UAE air bridge.
3. The Government of Lebanon (GoL) Higher Relief Committee (HRC) reports that 987 people have been killed and 3,408 injured in the conflict. No new data from the HRC has been received regarding the displaced in Lebanon.
4. UNHCR estimates that while some 500,000 IDPs are located in or around Beirut (or 70% of the total number displaced in Lebanon), the population continues to move from location to location in the city as the bombing continues. There are also IDP populations located north of Beirut in Byblos, Kessoun and the Metn Region. Displaced people from the south continue to arrive in locations north of the Litani River, although the flow seems to be lessening.
5. Host communities in Beirut are experiencing different levels of support, depending on their location. UNHCR has suggested that the provision of blankets, clothing, improved sanitation facilities, bedding and temporary privacy partitions may assist in alleviating some of the potential tensions among host families and their guests arising from crowded conditions and general conflict-related anxiety.
6. OCHA in Naqoura reports that information obtained from civilian communities trapped in frontline areas indicates urgent assistance with regard to the provision of water, food, fuel, and medical supplies. UNIFIL continues to support this population as far as possible, particularly with medical evacuation and treatment.
7. Norway has indicated that they will deploy an expert through the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea to carry out assessments in Syria.
8. Syria: OCHA notes that agencies have agreed that more focus is needed on Lebanese in collective sites and those in destitute host families.
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Logistics
9. Three flights into Beirut are being operated daily by the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The first flight into Beirut from Cyprus (Larnaca) landed on 7 August.
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Upcoming Logistics
Movement (Land)
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Date
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Destination
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Comments
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9-Aug
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Araida
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Relief Goods
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[<br>]
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Baalbek (Zahle Wavel camp)
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Relief Goods and assessment
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[<br>]
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Nabatyie
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Relief Goods and assessment
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[<br>]
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Saida (Sidon)
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Relief Goods
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[<br>]
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Tripoli
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Humanitarian staff
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[<p>]
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Upcoming Logistics
Movement (Sea)
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Date
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Destination
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Comments
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TBC
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Beirut
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1 French ship carrying
ready-to-eat meals; it will also dock at Brindisi to take on additional
cargo
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[<br>]
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Beirut
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1 WFP ship from Brindisi
loaded with food, and other items from organizations including World Vision,
Caritas, the Vatican, etc
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|
[<br>]
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Beirut
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Wheat flour and oil for
Lebanon and Syria
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Health/Nutrition
10. WHO and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) have also undertaken and published a review of public hospitals around the country (now posted on vHIC website). Urgent needs include diesel, drugs for chronic patients, food, and operating equipment and staff.
11. The Nutrition Cluster has been preemptively working to prevent a possible acute malnutrition situation through the provision of hot meals to IDPs, working on guidelines and IEC materials on feeding practice, as well as working on providing micronutrients. No cases of severe malnutrition among children in IDP centers have been reported.
12. A UNICEF shipment of essential drugs and first aid kits crossed the Aarida border into Lebanon yesterday. A further 2,000 hygiene kits are on their way to the Aarida border and are scheduled to move into Lebanon tomorrow.
Food
13. WFP dispatched 384mt of food to IDP communities in Beirut yesterday. In addition, 130mt of wheat flour, 12mt of canned beef, 2mt oil and 11mt high-energy biscuits (HEB) were distributed in Saida.
Shelter/Non Food Items
14. A UNHCR consignment of 500 mattresses and 400 blankets were delivered to three villages in the Aley Valley (800 beneficiaries) on 7 August. An ICRC convoy carrying 950 family parcels, 2,250 mattresses, 360 tarpaulins, 375 blankets and a generator among others managed to reach Marjayoun from Beirut. This was the only convoy which was able to reach areas south of Saida (Sidon) yesterday.
Water and Sanitation
15. UNIFIL provided water and a generator to the village of Ibil as Saqi on 7 August, to restore water pumping functions, as well as medical assistance to IDPs sheltering there. The UNIFIL team also provided an escort to municipal workers dispatched to repair and restore Marjayoun s power supply.
16. UNICEF has identified 154 schools in Beirut for upgrading of public health facilities including improved sanitation systems, upgrading of water quality, shower installation etc. The upgrades will benefit 36,929 IDPs sheltering in these schools. The specific upgrades to each school will vary based on the state of facilities in each location.
17. To date, UNICEF has provided 177 family water kits, 50 drinking water tanks, 3,150 boxes of water purification tablets, 26,396 bars of soap, and other water and hygiene related items. More than 20,000 families have benefited in communities around Lebanon.
18. Oxfam dispatched its first aid flight to Lebanon, from Kent in the UK via Cyprus on 7 August, sending 18mt of water and sanitation equipment and hygiene equipment to provide coverage for around 10,000 people.
19. Syria: Hygiene kits for 1,700 refugees in UNRWA schools in Damascus were being distributed today.
Education
20. Until schools resume, there is a need to engage the IDP community, especially children. UNICEF has finalized tools, which will enable rapid assessment and action on: organizing child-friendly spaces; community work for IDPs; and preparing for informal activities like summer camps and learning activities on issues like life skills, parenting for example.
FUNDING
21. The UN encourages donors who wish to contribute in-kind to the Lebanon response to do so against the requirements in the UN s Flash Appeal. Flash Appeal
22. OCHA s Financial Tracking Service (FTS) today reports US $52 million and US $24.5 million pledges against the $154 million Flash Appeal for Lebanon launched in July. Funds thus far have been earmarked for Protection, Coordination, Logistics, Health and Shelter clusters.
23. Donor commitments have been received from the European Commission, the US, the CERF, the private sector, Norway, Sweden Canada, Denmark, Australia, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania and Singapore. Pledges have been received from France, Spain, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Estonia and Slovenia.
24. Outside the Appeal, US $75 million in commitments and US $232 million in pledges have been pledged to the Red Cross Movement, NGOs or bilaterally.
25. For the latest funding requirements, contributions, and list of projects, see the FTS on http://www.reliefweb.int/fts.
Contact Details:
Desk Officers:
(New York) Mr. Carlos Monteiro-Pereira,
Tel: +1-212-963-4639
(New York) Mr. Ben Negus, Tel: +1-917-367-4374
(New York) Ms. Heidi Kuttab, Tel: +1-917-367-3365
Press contact:
(New York) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel: +1-917-367-5126
This situation report, together with additional information on the current crisis is also available on http://www.reliefweb.int. As your tool for timely information sharing, please encourage submissions of documents and maps by email to submit@reliefweb.int.
Information can be shared by humanitarian practitioners directly involved in the response to the crisis by utilizing the virtual Humanitarian Information Centre Website www.virtualhic.org. Organisations can post Who What Where Information and contact details, as well as any other pertinent information at the site by submitting to vhic@un.org
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.