OCHA Situation Report No. 33
Lebanon
28 August 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. The Government of Lebanon's (GOL) Higher Relief Council (HRC) reports 
to date that 1,187 Lebanese have been killed and approximately 4,060 
injured.

UXOs and mine clearance

2. Unexploded ordnances, particularly cluster munitions, remains the 
most urgent threat to the beneficiaries and humanitarian workers. 12 
people have been killed and 51 wounded by UXO and cluster bombs since 14 
August. The Mine Action Coordination Centre has thus far 249 strike 
locations, a figure which is expected to rise.

3. Demining activities are ongoing by the Lebanese army in Nabatieh, 
clearing residential areas such as Zawtar and by UNMACC in Yohmor, 
Smayieh, Ras Al Ain, Tebnine and Aita Al Jabal in South Lebanon. UNMACC 
is conducting daily mine awareness workshops for humanitarian aid staff.

Infrastructure

4. According to the GoL, the conflict has also resulted in $3.6 billion 
worth of physical damage with 80 bridges destroyed along with 600 km of 
roads, 900 factories, markets, farms and other commercial buildings, 31 
airports, ports, water- and sewage-treatment plants, dams and electrical 
plants and 25 fuel stations. 15,000 home/apartments estimated completely 
destroyed, a quarter of them in the crowded southern suburbs of Beirut. 
According to NGOs some 45,000 houses were damaged. Entire villages in 
the south reduced to rubble.

Security

5. The situation remained generally calm in the UNIFIL Area of Operation 
(AO) over the past 24 hours despite ground violations by the Israeli 
Defence Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). UNIFIL 
continued intensive ground and air patrolling throughout its area of 
operation to assess the situation on the ground and to monitor the 
cessation of hostilities.

Assessments

6. WHO health assessments are currently being conducted in Bekaa valley 
and Southern Beirut. Baalbek will follow as soon as security allows, as 
well as the less affected areas in Lebanon.

7. Preliminary results of a WHO health facility assessment show that 50 
to 70 per cent of primary health facilities in Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun 
have been completely destroyed.

8. Additional field assessments in the Bekaa valley report extensive 
damage in Baalbek, mainly in the city and surrounding villages of Britel 
and Nabi Chit. In total, 14 population centres suffered extensive 
destruction. Over 4,000 people have been left homeless, and more than 
1,850 families remain without water.

9. On 23 August, UN assessment teams visited the villages of Beit Lif, 
Yater and Sidiqqin, where they reported massive destruction; Beit Lif is 
in particular need for drinking water and hygiene kits. In Yater (almost 
half of which has been destroyed) assets such as blankets, mats and 
kitchen sets are needed which will be provided by UNHCR. In Sidiqqin, 
the main urgency is the clearance of tobacco fields from cluster bombs 
and UXOs, since cultivation of tobacco is the main source of income.

10. According to IOM, provisional results of the Rapid Appraisal 
Procedure Assessment on short and mid-term psychological needs confirm 
that the affected Lebanese population suffers from typical war related 
stress such as security issues, breakdown of social structure, 
experience of psychic violence, etc.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Logistics

11. Overland humanitarian convoys today:

- Beirut to Faouqa (via Nabatiye) -- 9 World Food Programme (WFP) trucks 
with wheat flour, canned meat, vegetable oil, high-energy biscuits, 
lentils, pasta and canned vegetables

- Beirut to Qabrikha and Meiss El-Jabal (via Tyre) -- 4 WFP trucks to 
Qabrikha and 8 WFP trucks to Meiss El-Jabal with wheat flour, 
high-energy biscuits, canned meat and canned vegetables

- Beirut to Tyre, Hanine, and Beit Leif -- 2 United Nations Children's 
Fund (UNICEF) trucks to Tyre, 2 to Hanine and 1 to Beit Leif carrying a 
total of 60,000 litres of drinking water.

12. Cluster activities continue to focus on the increase in the number 
of ships and convoys carrying humanitarian cargo on behalf of the whole 
humanitarian community.

Water and sanitation

13. The ICRC reports that the destruction of water distribution pipes 
remains the most significant challenge to water supply restoration. 
Although all water pumping stations remain intact, ICRC reports damage 
to transformers, generators, reservoirs, and pumps. Fuel and electricity 
shortages are also hindering pumping capacity.

14. UNICEF is delivering 60,000 gallons of bottled water to communities 
in South Lebanon. Additionally, 27 collapsible water tanks and 3,200 
hygiene kits have been distributed. UNICEF is also supporting the Beirut 
and Mount Lebanon Water Authorities in the repair water supply 
facilities in Saida and Ayta Al Jabbal, with around 95,000 inhabitants 
using these water supply systems.

15. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being finalised 
between UNICEF and the South Lebanon Water Authorities to assist the 
latter to carry out repair works to various elements of water supply 
infrastructure, such as boosting stations, boreholes and wells, outlet 
and inlet pipes, trunk pipelines, distribution network and storage 
tanks.

16. In the meantime, regular bottled water supplies continue, with 
12,000 liters sent today to Rashayeh and Beit Liif, and 24,000 liters to 
each of Hannine and Tyre.

17. UNIFIL distributed 53,000 liters of drinking water to villages of 
Meiss El Jebel, El Khiam, Houle Ebel Es Saqi, Al Duhayra, Yarin, Tibnin 
hospital, Alma Achaab, Kafra, Haddathah, Al Hinniyah. UNIFIL provided 
local people of Mashta Al Izziyah generator for water pumping.

Health and nutrition

18. A Health Cluster coordination meeting was held today with the 
participation of 30 health partners. It was emphasized that the majority 
of the health partners have now moved their activities and offices to 
the South, where further health coordination meetings are organized in 
Tyre.

19. WHO reports from the 202 health centers and hospitals that were 
covered by a recent health facilities damage assessment, 83% are not 
functioning in Bent Jbeil and Marjayoun.

20. As part of the Early Warning and Response System (EWARS), one case 
of suspected measles was reported from Bent Jbeil among an 8 
month-old-child. Case investigation is ongoing to verify the diagnosis.

21. Two studies are under preparation by the American University of 
Beirut and Balamand university focusing on special needs groups in 
emergencies. One study will concentrate on the difficult access of 
elderly and disabled to primary health care centres and the possibility 
of outreach services. It is estimated that 7.5% of the total population 
is either over 65 years of age or physically impaired, demonstrating the 
urgent need for special attention.

22. UNFPA reproductive health kits for up to 18,000 women, approximately 
950 clean delivery kits, and 4,500 hygiene kits were dispatched to NGOs 
in Marjayoun, Srifa, Ayta el Chaeb, Tebnine, and Southern Beirut.

23. IMC is distributing medicines and disposals to affected hospitals in 
Hasbaiya (near Nabatieh), Marjayoun and Bent Jbeil.

24. MSF-Belgium remains active in South Lebanon and is currently 
providing medication for chronic diseases and other essential drugs as 
well as surgical equipment to Bent Jbeil and Tebnine.

25. From 12 July to 24 August, the Lebanese Red Cross Society 
transported 986 persons needing treatment for war-related reasons as 
well 8,239 other medical cases. It also removed 402 bodies.

Food and Non-Food Items (NFls)

26. WFP has provided 3,235 metric tonnes of food to 582,000 Lebanese 
since 23 July: 431,000 people within Lebanon and 151,000 returnees. In 
the 11 days since the cessation of hostilities, WFP has dispatched 1,740 
MT of food compared to 1,495 MT in the 20 days from 25 July to 14 
August. Most of those assisted have received a two-week ration of wheat 
flour or bread, canned meat, high-energy biscuits and vegetable oil. 
Rations will continue to be provided as needed.

27. On 22 and 23 August, the ICRC delivered more than 12,600 litres of 
fuel for generators in El Mansouri, El Majdel Zoun, Zebqin and Jbeil el 
Botom, as well as for the Wadi Jilo pumping station. The organization is 
also providing spare parts to the local authorities and is helping 
finance repair teams.

28. In preparation for the extensive assistance that will be needed in 
the coming months, UNHCR is pre-positioning supplies in the southern 
cities of Tyre and Sidon, moving them down from Beirut. UNHCR supplies 
continue to arrive in Beirut by air, sea and road.

29. UNHCR in Syria is dispatching nearly 150 tonnes of supplies to 
Beirut this week, including 40,000 blankets.

30. In response to requests for rebuilding assistance, UNHCR is 
preparing emergency repair tool kits that include plastic sheeting, 
plywood, corrugated metal sheets, wood, as well as basic tools such as 
hammers, nails, a shovel, etc. The longer-term plans on rebuilding will 
follow.

Protection

31. The Protection cluster Strategy Paper, specifically the section on 
child protection, has been revised to be more holistic and better 
reflect information that has been received from recent visits or recent 
updates; this has included raising the issues of vulnerable children at 
risk of increased discriminatory practice, the impoverishment of 
families who have lost their breadwinner or main source of income and 
the effects this will have on the rights of children, and the ultimate 
need to involve young persons in the relief, reconstruction and recovery 
efforts.

Funding

32. The US $165 million FA launched on 24 July is now 57% funded with 
contributions receiving totaling just over US $94.1 million. The Flash 
Appeal for Lebanon is now 57% funded. An additional US $6.7 million in 
pledges have also been placed against the Appeal.

33. With the GoL increasingly leading the response process, a new appeal 
will be launched next week. Some of the funds already raised to be 
reprogrammed for priority needs. The revised FA will focus on clearance 
of mines and unexploded bombs, emergency health and education needs and 
water and sanitation. The UN is currently revising the Flash Appeal to 
change its focus from addressing the humanitarian needs during the 
conflict to the post-conflict humanitarian priorities and activities. 
The period of the appeal will remain up to 24 October 2006.

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

Contact Details:

Desk Officers:
  New York
   Mr. Carlos Monteiro-Pereira
    Tel: +1-212-963-4639
   Mr. Ben Negus
    Tel: +1-917-367-4374
   Mr. Christian Clark
    Tel: +1-917-367-6005

Press contact: (New York)
  Ms. Kristen Knutsen
    Tel: +1-917-367-9262


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