OCHA Situation Report
Lebanon
6 August 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Northern Route Aarida Route Reopens

The SMT today approved the resumption of supply convoys through the 
border crossing at Aarida. However, the route to be used is not the 
primary one and heavy delays can be expected as a result of heavy 
civilian traffic. The movement of staff remains restricted.

IDF Drops Leaflets on Sidon and Attacks Tyre

Overnight, the IDF launched an air and ground attack against Hezbollah 
targets in the city of Tyre. The IDF force withdrew after a brief 
skirmish that left one Lebanese solider injured and eight IDF soldiers 
injured. Reports from UNIFIL have indicated that the IDF has dropped 
leaflets on Sidon asking the civilian population to leave the town.

US Navy Offers to Escort Fuel Tankers

Two tankers carrying some 87,000mt fuel may now be escorted through the 
Israeli Navy blockade to the Lebanese coast by the US Navy. Though 
granted concurrence by the Israeli Navy, the ships had not entered 
Lebanese waters out of security concerns.

HC Undertakes Trip to the South

The newly appointed Humanitarian Coordinator, David Shearer, has 
completed a quick visit to the south. He visited Naqoura and Tyre and 
met with local government, UN and NGO organizations on the ground, as 
well as gaining a quick impression as to conditions on the ground.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

- The Government of Lebanon's (GoL) Lebanese Higher Relief Committee 
(HRC) reports that as of August 5, 933 people have been killed and 3,322 
people have been injured. The HRC also reports that 915,762 people, or 
one-fourth of Lebanon's population, have fled their homes. An estimated 
565,000 displaced persons are staying with relatives and friends, and 
130,762 are located in 761 schools and public institutions throughout 
the country. The HRC estimates that some 220,000 have fled to 
neighboring countries, including 150,000 to Syria.

- The Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MoSL) estimates that 
there are now approximately 180,000 displaced Lebanese people - now 
termed 'Persons of Concern' - in Syria. Some 67,000 are located at 
public sites (schools, pioneer camps etc), with the rest being 
accommodated with host families or in hotels/apartments.

- According to ICRC, humanitarian conditions are rapidly deteriorating 
in southern Lebanon, and improved access is urgently needed, 
particularly for affected populations along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Security

- The IDF withdrew their troops from the general area of Mhaibeb in the 
central sector, and Sarda in the eastern sector this morning. The IDF 
has reinforced their presence inside Lebanese territory in the general 
area of Al Duhayra and Marwahin in the western sector.

- There were three incidents of firing close to UNIFIL positions from 
the IDF in the general area of Hula (2) and At Tiri. There was one 
incident of Hezbollah firing rockets from the vicinity of the UN 
position in the general area of Tibnin.

- NGO Security Coordination Meetings are now being held twice weekly 
(Monday and Thursday). IMC report that representatives from IOM, OXFAM, 
RI, Save, IRC, Christian Aid, World Vision, Mine Advisory Group, IMC and 
DSS were present.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Logistics

- An ICRC team has proceeded from Tyre supplied 9,000 litres of fuel for 
the running of essential civilian infrastructure, namely the hospital in 
Tibnin (south-east of Tyre), the Lebanese Red Cross dispensary in the 
same town and water pumps in Tibnin and the surrounding villages of 
Kafra, Aita Jebel, Kaddata and Tiri.

Health/Nutrition

- WHO received reports that two hospitals in Tyre are fully functioning 
with the support of ICRC and MSF International.

- ICRC health teams have delivered vital medical supplies for the 
treatment of war-wounded and chronically ill persons in Marjayoun and 
Jezzine. The hospital in Marjayoun received injection materials, 
dressings, dialysis supplies, catheters, surgical gloves, antibiotics 
and drugs for surgery and anaesthesia. The hospital in Jezzine received 
disinfectants, injection materials and dressings. The dispensary run by 
the Lebanese Red Cross in the same town, which generally treats chronic 
cases, was supplied with drugs for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and 
other illnesses.

Food

- UNIFIL distributed food donated by the French government to civilians 
in Al Qawzah and Ramyah villages in the western sector yesterday. UNIFIL 
also provided water to the village of Ibil As Saqi, and medical 
assistance to the internally displaced people in the village.

- WFP has distributed approximately 3mt of food per day, since 31 July 
to some 11,000 PoCs in the Damascus area.

Shelter/NFIs

- UNHCR and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) are setting up 
warehouses and offices in four locations - Damascus, Aleppo, Tartus, and 
Homs, which all UN system agencies can access. Current NFI stocks 
include plastic sheeting, jerry cans, kitchen sets, kerosene stoves 
mattresses and blankets, sheets and pillows, underwear for adults and 
children, diapers and other personal hygiene products; amounts and 
locations will be mapped as part of the mechanism outlined below.

- At the request of the GOL, the UNHCR and the Swiss Agency for 
Development and Cooperation (SDC) continue work on establishing two IDP 
camps in Beirut.

Water and Sanitation

- The ICRC has noted that water is one of the foremost concerns of 
people in the villages that the ICRC has been able to reach in the past 
few weeks.

- UNICEF provided the Lebanese Red Cross with 75 family water kits (for 
750 families), nappies and feminine hygiene items yesterday for 
distribution throughout Beirut.

- A convoy is being loaded today for departure to Zahle tomorrow. UNICEF 
has provided 100 family water kits and essential drugs to be distributed 
by the Lebanese Cross in Zahle.

- Forty-eight of the 50 water tanks ordered locally by UNICEF for the 
Beirut area have been delivered as of 3 August; it is estimated that at 
least ten would be needed for new places opened in the past few days in 
Beirut (these locations are being surveyed by UNICEF staff member 
today).

- A Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) assessments suggest that there are 
water shortages and supply quality issues at some Populations of Concern 
(PoC) sites - support is needed in terms of water treatment, 
maintenance, and hygiene materials. In addition, UNRWA reports the need 
for additional sanitation facilities, water storage and pumping 
facilities in the schools in Yarmouk.

- UNFPA has provided 12,000 personal hygiene kits to PoC sites 
supervised by the SARC, Ministry of Social Affairs, UNRWA and UNHCR. An 
additional 8,000 kits are on the way, and ICRC is providing a further 
2,000 kits.

FUNDING

- The UN encourages donors who wish to contribute in-kind to the Lebanon 
response, that they do so against the requirements as laid out in the 
UN's Flash Appeal.

Flash Appeal

- According to OCHA's Financial Tracking System (FTS), over US $36 
million has now been made available to agencies against the UN/NGO Flash 
Appeal. Another US $25 million has been pledged.  For the latest funding 
requirements, contributions, and list of projects, see the FTS on 
http://www.reliefweb.int/fts

In-Kind Donations

- U.N. agencies are working with HRC to ensure that in-kind relief 
commodities arriving in Lebanon match identified needs. In-kind 
assistance is likely to hinder the arrival of urgently needed supplies 
by blocking ports of entry, warehouse space, and overland distribution 
networks. Any donor/organization wishing to provide in-kind donations 
should confirm needs with HRC prior to delivery. WHO reports that funds 
for local or regional procurement of essential medicines remain a 
priority over in-kind donations.

- The ICRC in Syria is working with HRC and national Red Cross and Red 
Crescent societies to verify needs prior to sending in-kind shipments, 
currently stored in warehouses at the Syrian-Lebanese border. According 
to the United States' Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration 
(State/PRM), ICRC headquarters has assigned a full time staff person to 
help match consignments already in Syria to urgent needs.

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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