OCHA Situation Report No. 26
Lebanon
19 August 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Devastated Villages Require Water, Food, Fuel

Ongoing assessments of previously inaccessible villages in the South
have indicated that immediate priorities for the population are supplies
of drinking water, pre - prepared meals and fuel for generators.

Fuel Arrives

The arrival of three commercial tankers into Beirut two yesterday with
the third expected today or tomorrow) carrying some 135,000mt of fuel
(diesel and petrol) is relieving the strain on public infrastructure as
well as enhancing the ability of the humanitarian community to respond.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. Figures reported by the Government of Lebanon's (GoL) High Relief
Commission (HRC) are 1,183 killed and 4,054 injured. As people return
and the clean up continues, it is likely that more bodies will be
recovered. In Bint Jbeil alone, it is known that there are at least 30
bodies trapped under the rubble.

Security update

2. UXO clearance continues across the affected region. Security
officials reported two Lebanese farmers were killed in a land mine
explosion in Hamoul near Naqoura, while three children have been killed
since the ceasefire began. The Mine Advisory Group (MAG) stresses that
cluster munitions contamination appears to be higher than in Iraq 2003
(not general UXO contamination).

3. In the last 36 hours, the Lebanese Army has established a presence in
at least 30 villages in the South. Full deployment of the 15,000 strong
contingent is expected by the end of today.

4. The IDF says it has now withdrawn from twothirds of its positions in
southern Lebanon, including the port city of Tyre and villages of Qana,
Hadatha and Beit Yahoun. The Israeli Foreign Minister has said the speed
of full military withdrawal depends on how quickly the international
force arrives in the border region.

5. The Italian government has formally approved the deployment of up to
3,000 naval troops to Lebanon. Bangladesh has offered a possible
contribution of two mechanized infantry battalions (between 1,300 -
1,700 troops). Indonesia has offered a mechanized battalion and a
company of engineers, with another two battalions from Malaysia and
Nepal respectively. Denmark has offered to send two patrol ships while
Spain, Egypt, Belgium and Morocco are assessing possible contributions.

Returns update

6. The HRC reports IDP numbers falling to some 262,170, down from an
approximate 970,000 displaced during the height of the conflict.
Remaining IDPs are still sheltering in schools/public institutions, with
host families or remain in neighboring countries like Syria, Jordan.

7. In total, an estimated 26,110 Lebanese had returned from Syria
yesterday according to UNHCR. The total since Monday has risen to
107,140. However, the total returning from Syria on Thursday was less
than in the previous two days. Syrian authorities have also estimated
that a further 10,000 returnees have crossed back into Lebanon through
smaller border points. OCHA informs that it remains difficult to
estimate how many Lebanese still remain in Syria as during the crisis
thousands stayed with host families without being properly registered.

8. The UN continues to monitor returning populations in border areas. Of
an original population of 20,000 in the town of Jwayya, approximately
half left for Beirut and Mount Lebanon during the fighting: 90% are now
said to have returned. Some 15,000 from Bint Jbeil moved north of the
Litani during the course of the hostilities: approximately 1,000 have
returned.

9. IOM is now helping populations return to Lebanon following the
ceasefire and had assisted over 3,000 persons on more than 100 buses by
17 August. IOM is focusing on the most vulnerable IDP families, most of
who would otherwise be stranded in Beirut. Three 30 - ton trucks loaded
with IDP support items were also dispatched to the South.

10. The UN based at the humanitarian hub in Saidi plan to expand relief
coverage to include Marjayoun in addition to Saida city, greater Saida
area and Nabatiyeh. This takes into consideration falling numbers of
IDPs in the city, and the rapidly increasing return to areas despite
having suffered up to 90% destruction.

Infrastructure

11. The centre of Bint Jbeil is completely destroyed. The mayor
estimates that some 400 properties have been destroyed and another 600
badly damaged, including homes, pharmacies, banks and shops.

12. Roads leading out of Tyre to the south - east are reported to be
mainly intact apart from two large craters close to Burj al Shmali. Road
damage was assessed to be much worse closer to Bint Jbeil, especially in
the villages of Shabiya, Kafar Junin, and Sultaniye - Tibnin.

13. There appears to have been systematic targeting of fuel stations in
the Bint Jbeil area. Fuel is urgently required for generators, for
cooking and for water pumps. Some wells are still useable.

14. Electricity is still being rationed in many places. This is
affecting water supplies: for example, the Sakhrabin Wells Water
Treatment Plant serving between 80,000 and 100,000 in the Nabatiyeh
district is unable to fully function. Diesel is also urgently needed.
UNICEF reports urgent needs for bottled water.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Logistics

15. Four aid convoys have been dispatched this morning to Marjayoun
carrying primarily food and medicine. The convoy consisted of 16 trucks
from WFP and four from the WHO. Seventeen WFP trucks were dispatched to
Saida/Naqoura, while two UNFPA trucks went to Masnaa from Beirut. A
convoy of 10 UNHCR trucks left Aarida, for onward movement to Tyre via
Beirut, carrying mattresses, blankets and shelter materials.

16. The destruction of more than 140 bridges and damage to roads is
hampering aid deliveries all over the country. At the Port of Beirut, a
lack of stevedoring capacity is slowing onward movement of aid supplies.
The Kasem Genc and Cap Camarat are both still offloading in Beirut.

17. The Anamcara is now expected to return to Beirut with new cargo from
Limassol on 21 August. An Italian naval vessel, the San Marco, is due to
dock on 19 August, bringing WFP and WHO supplies from Brindisi.

18. In support of humanitarian relief coordination, UNOSAT, working
closely with OCHA, is undertaking a satellite imagery - based damage
assessment in combination with field verification by UNOSAT and OCHA
field staff. Maps and statistics are being generated and disseminated
for priority locations identified by OCHA and other actors. These damage
assessments will also be useful in the context of Early Recovery.
Preliminary versions of the assessment map can be found for some areas
of southern Lebanon (behind the Blue Line) at http://www.virtualhic.org.

19. Some 2,000 liters of fuel were delivered to Tibnin hospital
yesterday by WHO, along with 2,000 liters to Bint Jbeil.

Health, Nutrition

20. The Lebanese Ministry of Health (MoH) is urging all health partners
to collaborate in the assessment of health care facilities, which aims
to cover the country's 800 facilities, including dispensaries. Seventy
volunteers will begin tomorrow, traveling first to priority areas in the
South, supported financially and logistically by WHO.

21. The Early Warning and Response System (EWARS) is ready to be
implemented; training of surveillance officers will take place in Tyre
on 21 August. This will be the first time Lebanon has a health
information system collecting data at the district level.

22. UNRWA reports that from the beginning of the conflict medical
supplies were sent to its 25 health centres to ensure stocks for up to
three months. Additional vaccines were also sent to supply the medical
centres for a month. UNRWA clinics continued to function, albeit with
much reduced medical staff.

23. On an inter - agency mission to the Bekaa Valley yesterday, UNFPA
visited schools that hosted IDPs as well as health facilities in Ber
Elias, Majdle Anjar, Machgharrah, Karoun and Kefraya. Most health
facilities are able to provide only very basic care to pregnant women.
Almost all health facilities lacked fuel and generators.

24. NGOs have refocused their activities as populations move southwards.
Response International is planning to establish Primary Health Care
(PHCs) clinics with mobile outreach in the South, while MSF Belgium is
increasing activities in Saida.

Water and Sanitation

25. The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW), supported by WHO, is
currently assessing all drinking water supply sources in South Lebanon.
A drinking water quality monitoring system is to be established for the
first time in southern Lebanon. WHO is procuring a mobile laboratory for
continuous monitoring.

26. In response to priority needs identified by interagency missions in
the last two days, convoys planned for tomorrow will carry supplies of
bottled water for Marjayoun, Tyre, Rmeish, and Saida.

27. The first of ten water tanks ordered locally (each 4,000 liters
capacity) was delivered to the Naba'a area in South Beirut. Water was
provided by UNICEF today, but tomorrow the local community will take
over the daily refilling of the tank.

Food

28. WFP has delivered a total of 1,815mt of food (including wheat flour,
vegetable oil, canned meat and high - energy biscuits) to 396,800
beneficiaries since 23 July. The UN aims to provide food to a total of
500,000 beneficiaries.

29. Food distributions continue in the Zahle area (Beka'a valley) and
in areas just north and south of the Litani River, by WFP and NGO
partners Solidarity and Premiere Urgence. The first bakery in Nabatiye
will start to produce bread today; meanwhile a deal on bread production
in Beirut is being negotiated in Beirut with city bakeries and the
Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA).

30. UNRWA provided food and non - food assistance directly to around
60,000 people during the conflict. The food aid was provided to just
over 56,000 people in slightly different quantities for general and IDP
populations, but both contained sugar, rice, several varieties of
pulses, whole milk and cooking oil. In total UNRWA shipped 478mt of food
during the conflict.

Shelter, NFIs

31. UNHCR will initially provide emergency shelter for the most
vulnerable in the areas outside major cities in Lebanon. It will also
help in the rehabilitation of public buildings in rural areas, such as
schools that could provide temporary shelter as residents rebuild their
own homes.

32. The same day the first of a dozen flights donated by the Belgian Air
Force arrived in Beirut carrying 2,000 plastic sheets and one large
warehouse tent for UNHCR. (UNHCR will the tent to store pre - positioned
materials in Tyre.) The Portuguese Air Force is scheduled to join in the
airlift from Amman on the weekend.

Protection

33. IOM reports that the total number of Third Country Nationals (TCNs)
persons assisted is nearly 11,900 and will exceed 13,000 in the coming
days. Departures from Damascus are taking the nationals of Sri Lanka,
Seychelles, Madagascar and others over the next few days. Requests for
Thailand, Eritrea and Gambia are pending.

34. The Protection sub - group on Women and Children is mapping needs
across affected areas of Lebanon. A UNHCR Protection Officer has also
been deployed to Tyre, to monitor protection of returnees. NGOs and UN
agencies working on protection issues are jointly looking at protection
monitoring and NFI distribution in the South.

35. UNHCR and UNMAS have added a new flyer to their public awareness
materials on UXO threats, focusing on other types of unexploded
munitions. This is being distributed through Protection Cluster
partners.

FUNDING

Flash Appeal

36. As of 18 August, the UN Flash Appeal for the Lebanon crisis is 53%
funded and has now received contributions of US$ 87.2 million, with
approximately US$ 7 million in pledges.

37. The United Arab Emirates pledged today to fund the reconstruction of
schools and hospitals in South Lebanon damaged in during the recent
hostilities. The reconstruction program will cover hospitals in the
towns of Bint Jbeil and Marjayun as well as in the Arkoub region. The
UAE already pledged US $20 million in relief aid last month for the
nearly one million people displaced by the conflict.

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


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