OCHA Situation Report No. 23
Lebanon
16 August 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UN Convoys and Returnees Congest Roads to South

UN relief convoys and cars of returnees continue to clog the few 
accessible routes to the South. It is estimated that some 200,000 people 
have made their way home in the last 36 hours. The HRC reports that over 
40% of those previously sheltering in schools and other public centers 
have now left for their places of origin.

Lebanese PM Calls for End to Sea, Air Blockade

The Lebanese Prime Minister, Mr. Fouad Siniora, has called on the 
Permanent Members of the UN Security Council to support humanitarian 
assistance to Lebanon by helping end the ongoing Israeli blockade of sea 
and air movements. However, planes and ships are managing to bring in 
aid, despite difficulties.

Early Assessments Show Widespread Damage

Initial assessments undertaken by UNIFIL have indicated widespread 
damage to civilian housing in southern areas of Lebanon. In the village 
of Tayyabah 80% of civilian homes have been destroyed, 50% in the 
villages of Markaba and Qantarah, and 30% in Mays al Jabal.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. The Government of Lebanon's (GoL) Higher Relief Council (HRC) have 
indicated that the total number of Lebanese killed in the conflict 
stands at 1,110. However, the numbers of injured have increased by 240 
to 3,941: several dozen of which are known to be attributed to cluster 
munitions.

Returns update

2. UNHCR estimates that between 30,000-50,000 persons are in the process 
of returning to areas of the south including Saida and Marjayoun.

3. UNIFIL estimates that 7,000-8,000 people moved south of the Litani 
River today with the majority to Tyre. UNIFIL has also indicated that 
some 2,000 people moved to the villages of Beit Leif, Zidqine, Kfra 
Dibnin, Al Duharya and Yarine, near Naqoura.

4. Syria: UNHCR informed that there were 15,000 spontaneous 
repatriations today and approximately 17,000 yesterday from Syria. UNHCR 
is continuing around the clock border monitoring at the four crossings 
between Lebanon and Syria. UNHCR provided transport assistance into 
Lebanon for 445 refugees who had been residing with host families in 
Syria, and will continue to provide transport in the coming days.

5. UNHCR is assisting returnees with basic returnee packages that 
provide support for their journey home and for their arrival in an 
environment that may likely be without food, water or other supplies and 
where property may be damaged or uninhabitable.

6. A policy for consolidated assistance to returnees is urgently being 
formulated through the Humanitarian Clusters. Key priorities for 
populations on the move include: facilitating transport for the most 
vulnerable; identifying needs, especially for emergency shelter; and 
continuing the information campaign on the danger of UXOs. UNHCR team 
are handing out leaflets at way stations and using local media to get 
message across.

7. IOM has now provided assistance to approximately 13,000 Third Country 
Nationals (TCNs). IOM will evacuate nationals of Ghana, Ethiopia, the 
Philippines, and Sudan among others, by the 20 August from Damascus. 
Additional evacuations by boat via Cyprus may be available if required.

Security and safety

8. During the course of the conflict, UNIFIL estimated that between 
200-300 bombs and missiles per day were dropped during air strikes on 
areas adjacent to the Blue Line with a similar amount dropped across 
other areas of South Lebanon.

9. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reports that initial assessments 
undertaken today have identified at least 200 unexploded cluster 
munitions near the hospital in Tibnine. UNMAS also reports that cluster 
munitions in Nabatiye - around Kfar Roumane - have now been cleared from 
the road to allow passage for returnees.

10. An EOD clearance team from UNMAS and the UK-based Mine Action Group 
(MAG) is scheduled to arrive in Tyre tomorrow. UNIFIL and MAG are 
planning to produce a road map showing no-go areas and passable routes 
in the South by 20 August.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Logistics

11. A 19-truck convoy, carrying food and medical supplies for WFP and 
UNICEF left Beirut for Hazbaya in eastern Beka'a Valley this morning. 
Another 15 trucks (11 WFP and four UNICEF) also left Tyre for 
Rmeish/Debel carrying food, bedding and bottled water. Four WFP trucks 
also arrived in Sarasand.

12. The vessel Anamcara, carrying 21 trucks laden with relief supplies, 
will depart for Tyre tomorrow. However the ship has not been permitted 
to sail directly to Tyre, but is restricted to a route some 25 miles 
offshore. WFP says the voyage will take around seven hours, rather than 
four hours by the direct route. The ship will also be carrying petrol 
and diesel to assist with the maintenance of local infrastructure as 
well as to bolster the widening humanitarian response.

13. WFP provided a specialist for the port of Tyre today to help with 
the arrival of shipments. The port depot will provide warehousing and 
holding areas to ensure humanitarian cargo can be swiftly processed for 
immediate distribution.

14. The tanker, Gulf Nomad, remains offshore with her cargo of petrol 
pending the conclusion of negotiations of her movement to Beirut.

15. UNIFIL and OCHA will begin a systematic assessment of bridges and 
roads tomorrow in the Tyre area. Meanwhile urgent work continues on 
repairs to key infrastructure. An interagency assessment for roads and 
logistics will proceed tomorrow to Zahle and Baalbek.

16. The twice-weekly UNJLC passenger catamaran service from Cyprus to 
Beirut will begin on 17 August. The service, which will take 300 
persons, will be free to UN agencies, accredited NGOs and embassies, and 
is planned to operate Mondays and Fridays.

Health/Nutrition

17. With as many as 50-80% of IDPs estimated to be returning, UNICEF 
reports that planned health interventions are being re-designed and a 
'mobile intervention' option will be activated through mobile outlets 
run by NGOs

18. Vaccines have reportedly reached the Ministry of Public Health 
warehouse in Qarantina safely, and cold chain requirements have been 
observed so far. Vaccination continues in the remaining IDP centres.

19. Following the ceasefire, ICRC's main priority is to reach the 
civilian population in villages in former frontline areas, and to ensure 
that all wounded are evacuated. The Lebanese Red Cross is focusing on 
recovering bodies, especially from collapsed buildings, which were 
inaccessible during the fighting. ICRC will concentrate on delivering 
food, water and medicines, particularly to civilians who have suffered 
the direct consequences of the hostilities.

Food

20. The first bakery commenced operations in Tyre late last night with 
bread made from WFP wheat flour distributed to villages in the area this 
morning.

Shelter, NFIs

21. Four UNHCR cargo flights carrying rub halls (7), canvas tents 
(1,120) from Amman, as well as lightweight tents (1,200) from Dubai 
arrived in Larnaca today. These will be shipped later this week to 
Beirut or Tyre.

22. A Jordanian Air Force flight brought family tents, mattresses and a 
rub hall to Beirut today with two flights scheduled from Amman on 16 
August.

23. Tens of thousands of UNHCR blankets, mattresses and tents have been 
stuck at the Syrian border for the past six days. All need to be 
pre-positioned to quickly assist returning populations.

24. IOM is utilizing their charter aircraft - used for the evacuation of 
TCNs - to bring in relief supplies on their return legs. Over 20mt of 
medicine, biscuits, tea and blankets were recently sent by Bangladesh 
and the Philippines.

Water/Sanitation (WatSan)

25. UNICEF reports that the Anamcara will be carrying 18 bladder water 
tanks (1,500m3 each), four trucks of bottled water and a truckload of 
baby and adult hygiene kits, due to be delivered to Tyre on 16 August. 
Two national WatSan experts arrived in Tyre today, and will commence 
assessments tomorrow.

Early Recovery

26. Two boats, skimmers, generators and booms - provided by the 
Government of Norway - to help fight the oil spill are being used in a 
pilot clean-up at Jbeil harbor.

FUNDING

Flash Appeal

27. The Flash Appeal for Lebanon is now 49% funded. Contributions stand 
at just over US $81 million, with an additional US $10.5 million in 
pledges.

28. Sweden will hold an international donor conference for Lebanon in 
Stockholm on 31 August. The conference will focus on humanitarian needs 
and early recovery and is being arranged in close cooperation with the 
GoL and the UN.

29. Full details can be found on the FTS on 
http://www.reliefweb.int/fts.

Contact Details:

Desk Officers:
  NYC - Mr. Carlos Monteiro-Pereira, Tel: +1-212-963-4639
  NYC - Mr. Ben Negus, Tel: +1-917-367-4374
  NYC - Ms. Heidi Kuttab, Tel: +1-917-367-3365

Press contact:
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel: +1-917-367-5126


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