OCHA Situation Report No. 22
Lebanon
15 August 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Key development
Hostilities Cease: Thousands Journey Home

Major population movements have been reported across Lebanon today 
following the cessation of hostilities this morning. UNHCR monitoring 
teams deployed on major transit routes south of Beirut estimated that 
approximately 6,000 people moved from Beirut to areas in the south 
today. Approximately 10,000 refugees reportedly moved back into Lebanon 
from crossing points at Dabbeuesia, Yabous, Al Aarida and Juseah. UNIFIL 
also reports the movement of approximately 7,000 to 8,000 persons south 
to Nabatiye, Tyre, Sarita, Qana and Jwayya. The heavy volume of traffic, 
together with damage to many main and minor roads, resulted in traffic 
jams in key locations on route to the south, including at the Litani 
River crossing.

UXOs Pose Major Threat to Returnees

UNMAS reported a number of UXO and sub-munitions incidents following 
population movements today, including the death of a child in Tyre and 
eight civilian injuries in Kfar Roumane, and Nabatiye.

Convoys reach Tyre, Rmeish-Debel

Within minutes of hostilities ending, two UN convoys carrying food, 
water, medicine and hygiene supplies set off from Saida to Tyre. Seven 
of the 24 trucks have already distributed food and water in Tyre and 
villages close by, while 14 trucks will proceed to Rmeish-Debel 
tomorrow.

Key developments

No Concurrence Required for UN Land Convoys

While the UN will continue to notify the IDF of convoy movements, it has 
been agreed that concurrence for movement will no longer be requested.

IDF Naval Blockade Stands According to WFP

WFP have reported that the Israeli Navy has continued to maintain its 
naval blockade of the Lebanese coast, despite the adoption of SCR 1701. 
The HC is seeking confirmation and will provide information to the 
humanitarian community as it becomes available.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. The total number of Lebanese killed in the month-long conflict 
reached 1,109, and nearly 3,700 were injured, according to GoL Higher 
Relief Council figures. Fierce fighting in the final 24 hours before the 
ceasefire claimed the lives of at least 11 Lebanese civilians. The 
Government of Israel reports that 43 Israeli civilians have been killed.

2. The Humanitarian Hub in Saida will initially be located in the UNRWA 
office. Immediate priorities for staff arriving are to work with local 
authorities to identify specific needs and shortages, and undertake 
rapid assessment of IDP sites.

3. Lebanon's Minister of Environment has warned of toxic fumes and 
contaminated seafood caused by the fires and oil spill from the Jiyyeh 
power plant. The cost for a comprehensive clean-up for the oil spill has 
been estimated at US $150 million with work taking up to a year.

Security

4. An UNRWA staff member was killed at the Ein el Hilweh Refugee Camp in 
an Israeli air strike only an hour and a half before the cessation of 
hostilities this morning.

5. Four UNIFIL outposts where heavily shelled last night even as the 
deadline for the ceasefire drew near. While serious damage to these 
compounds was reported, there were no casualties among UNIFIL observers. 
The Tibnin(4), Haris(2), At Tiri(2) and Marun al Ras(1) compounds 
received a total of 85 direct hits from IDF artillery (of which 35 
impacted inside the position in the area of Tibnin). Additionally, the 
IDF fired approximately 10 rockets and over 100 artillery rounds within 
the immediate vicinity of these and other UN positions, including the 
UNIFIL HQ in Naqoura.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Logistics

6. Within minutes of the cessation of hostilities this morning, the UN 
dispatched two humanitarian convoys totaling 24 trucks carrying food, 
medical supplies, water and sanitary goods to Tyre. In total, nine 
convoys have been dispatched today, with the other seven heading for 
destinations including Hasbaya in the south-east, Saida (Sidon), and 
Tripoli. In addition to emergency supplies, key security and road 
assessments will be made.

7. The ship Anamcara is still in the process of unloading cargo 
delivered to Beirut yesterday. WFP reports that the ship is scheduled to 
set to sail to Tyre tomorrow, carrying 21 trucks altogether: five with 
food commodities, five with drinking water, hygiene supplies and water 
purification tablets, and two fuel tankers - one for emergency hospital 
supplies, the other for relief operations. An additional nine WFP trucks 
carrying food items will overnight in Tyre, and then proceed to Tibnin 
and Jwaya the following day.

8. Another land convoy is planned tomorrow for Sarasand, on the coast 
between Saida and Tyre, with four WFP food trucks and a bus for the Tyre 
humanitarian hub.

Health/Nutrition

9. No outbreaks of communicable disease have been reported, but urgent 
needs are still reported in the areas of hygiene, sanitation and 
essential drugs, especially in the South.

Food

10. Food agencies say that the current priority is to provide basic 
commodities (staple foods) to the highest number of beneficiaries. The 
current ration includes 60g canned meat, 30g vegetable oil, and 420g 
wheat flour and 300g hi-energy biscuits (HEBs).

11. UNRWA's Lebanon Field Office reports that it is facing a critical 
shortage of basic food commodities, to meet the needs of both the IDP 
population being cared for by the Agency (20,000 persons) and UNRWA's 
normal caseload of special hardship cases, persons unable to support 
themselves.

Shelter

12. UNHCR says displaced populations returning to destroyed homes will 
be offered tents for short-term shelter, but the Government and other 
agencies are working on more permanent shelter options (such as the 
furbishing of one warm room) to help families prepare for the coming 
winter months.

13. Some 50,000 tents, 230,000 mattresses, 172,000 blankets are en route 
to Beirut from around the region, as well as rub halls and delivery 
trucks. Work on a warehouse for arriving UN commodities in Saida 
commenced today.

Water and Sanitation (WatSan)

14. The return of IDPs means that the emphasis for WatSan is likely to 
change from schools and collective centers to home areas (mainly the 
south). Specifically, this will need rapid assessment of the extent of 
damage to water systems; installation of emergency water systems where 
damage is extreme; provision of fuel for pumping systems; water 
trucking; distribution of emergency bottled water supplies until systems 
are repaired; and repairs to sanitation systems, or the installation of 
emergency systems where required. All activities depend on access and 
the extent to which return is sustained.

15. UNICEF sub-offices in Tyre and Saida are open as of today, and a 
national staff member is due to be attached to the UNDP Office in the 
Chouf area of Mount Lebanon. Two national WatSan experts are scheduled 
to commence assessments in the South tomorrow.

16. Syria: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL) noted today 
that sanitation is a priority for the Lebanese still displaced in Syria. 
Flexible arrangements are needed given the fluidity of the situation.

Protection

17. IOM has now assisted some 11,000 Third Country Nationals (TCNs) to 
leave Lebanon, with a further 1,900 scheduled to be bussed to Syria in 
the next two days.

FUNDING

Flash Appeal

18. No increase has been reported since Saturday regarding the Flash 
Appeal for Lebanon/Syria. As of 14 August the appeal is 48% funded, with 
contributions of more than US $79 million and pledges worth US $10.2 
million received.

19. WHO has received significant contributions against their programmes 
within the Flash Appeal with direct support from Australia, Canada, 
ECHO, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the UN Central 
Emergency Response Fund (CERF).


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
     Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                    guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lebanon                            www.cidi.org/humanitarian/hsr/me-06g