Lebanon – UNHCR calls for the protection of civilians and a permanent halt to the escalation

The Commission reported that about 100 sites were bombed within ten minutes and without warning, including densely populated neighborhoods in Beirut that were already housing thousands of displaced people. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, more than 300 people have been killed and more than 1,150 others injured in these latest strikes, with the death toll expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Renewed displacement

Speaking to reporters in Geneva today, Friday, UNHCR spokeswoman Eugene Byun said that this escalation caused huge loss of life, deepened suffering and destroyed homes and property. Families who had previously fled fighting in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon have been displaced again – families, some of whom had begun to consider returning after receiving mixed signals about the possibility of a ceasefire.

Areas previously considered safe were also bombed, causing panic and forcing people to flee for a second or third time. Many were seen carrying their children and belongings on foot, or trying to flee in cars amid stifling traffic jams at Beirut’s main exits.

Emergency response teams faced great difficulties in reaching the injured amid the rubble, closed roads, and widespread damage. Hospitals also launched urgent calls for blood donations, warning that they had reached their maximum capacity.

The destruction of many bridges has made movement between northern and southern Lebanon much more difficult. For many families coming from southern villages, return is no longer possible, as entire communities have been partially or completely destroyed. It is estimated that about 150,000 people remain in the south. Therefore, Eugene Pyon stressed that access to humanitarian aid is essential, and they need safe paths to escape if they have to.

Humanitarian needs are increasing

The UNHCR spokeswoman warned that humanitarian needs are increasing sharply, as access to affected people has become increasingly restricted. The shelters hosting about 140,000 displaced people are suffering from severe overcrowding, and about half of the public schools in Lebanon are currently operating as shelters, leaving children once again out of their classrooms, and making them struggle with feelings of fear, anxiety, and repeated displacement.

Despite the enormous challenges, Eugene Byun said that UNHCR and its partners continue to support government-led response efforts, by providing emergency relief, renovating shelters, and providing protection services.

To date, UNHCR has provided assistance to more than 151,000 displaced people residing in collective shelters, and to 31,000 people in hard-to-reach areas; This is in addition to providing expanded financial assistance and specialized protection support to the most vulnerable groups, including separated children and people with disabilities. UNHCR also provides support to more than 250,000 people who crossed the border into Syria, including 39,000 Lebanese.

The Commission stressed the need to provide immediate and sustainable support in order to help those in need, but most importantly, it stressed the need to reach a permanent cessation of hostilities.