Lebanon - OCHA-14: 07-Aug-06
OCHA Situation Report No. 14
Lebanon
7 August 2006
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Key Developments
Humanitarian Strategy Updated
The existing framework for aid operations is being updated. The revised
strategy aims to decentralize the relief effort through the
establishment of humanitarian hubs in the seaports of Tyre, Saida
(Sidon), Tripoli and Beirut. This will help to ensure a more robust
supply pipeline that relies on sea links through the logistical hub in
Cyprus.
France and US Agree to Text of Draft Resolution
The US and France have agreed on the text of a draft Security Council
Resolution to end the hostilities in Lebanon. The Council is planning to
discuss the draft on Monday.
UN Convoy Involved in Near Miss
On 6 August, a UN humanitarian convoy was narrowly missed during an IDF
strike on a vehicle directly in front of the convoy. The incident
happened just north of Tyre. It is understood the two occupants of the
vehicle were killed. There were no injuries to the four UN staff
accompanying the convoy or damage to convoy vehicles.
Military Activity in Southern Lebanon Intensifies
During the past 24 hours military activity in almost all parts of
southern Lebanon increased. Three Chinese UNIFIL soldiers were slightly
injured by a mortar round that landed inside their base in the western
sector (in the area of Hinniyah). The fighting prevented movement in
UNIFIL's area of operations.
NGO Air Serv to Commence Air Ops
NGO Air Serv has informed that they have been granted preliminary
approval by the IDF to commence Air Operations from Jordan to Lebanon.
The dates of a service or projected schedule are not yet available.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
1. The figures reported by the Government of Lebanon's (GoL) Higher
Relief Committee (HRC) on 5 August remain unchanged: 933 people have
been killed and 3,322 people have been injured. According to the HRC,
915,762 people, or a quarter 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.
2. UNHCR estimates that some 4,000 displaced Lebanese and others -
termed Persons of Concern (PoC) - arrive in Syria every day. However, it
is reported that 1,600 PoC proceed to other destinations abroad, while
some 1,000 return to Lebanon. It is therefore estimated that the net
daily influx is believed to be approximately 1,400 per day. The Syrian
government report that there are now some 180,000 PoCs in Syria.
3. UNDP reports that Ministry of Education (MoE) representatives are
facilitating the registration of IDPs located in schools. The
registration of IDPs in host families is likely to be a lengthy process
and no timeframe for completion has been provided. Registration of IDPs
in collective centers and host families is being undertaken by the
Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), with UNHCR and UNDP.
4. Fuel shortages remain a major concern, with hospitals in northern
Lebanon are feared likely to close within 7-10 days, while hospitals in
the south may face closures in less than a week. Two tankers carrying
some 87,000 MT of fuel remain in open water off the Lebanese coast.
Although granted concurrence by the Israeli navy, and assurance of an
escort by the US navy, the ships have not entered Lebanese waters due to
security concerns.
5. The emergency response clusters working in Lebanon are now in the
process of urgently prioritizing humanitarian activities, and the
Humanitarian Coordinator will develop an overall master plan. Key
priorities are to more specifically identify groups needing assistance
and their location, in order to verify capacity to respond most
effectively within current constraints.
Security
6. The next NGO Security Coordination Meeting will be held tomorrow,
Monday 7 August, 18.00 at the Mayflower Hotel.
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Logistics
7. Thirteen UN convoys (107 trucks) have now been dispatched since 26
July supplying Jezzine, Qana, Saida, Tyre, Tebnine with relief
assistance as well as moving along the humanitarian supply pipeline from
Aarida. Three convoys (a total of 21 trucks) were dispatched today for
Tyre, Zahle and Beirut.
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| Upcoming | | |
| Logistics | | |
| Movement | | |
| (Land) | | |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| Date | Destination | Comments |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| 7-Aug | Nabatyeh | Relief Goods |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| |Sidon (Saida) | Relief Goods |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| | Aarida | Relief Goods |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| | Tripoli | Staff |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| | Beirut | Relief Goods |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| 8 Aug |Sidon (Saida) | Relief Goods |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| Upcoming | | |
| Logistics | | |
|Movement (Sea)| | |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| Date | Destination | Comments |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| 9-Aug | Beirut |- 1 WFP Vessel |
| | |carrying wheat |
| | |flour and pulses |
| | |- May land at |
| | |Latakia (Syria) |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| 10-Aug | Larnaca | Food and NFI |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| Upcoming | | |
| Logistics | | |
|Movement (Air)| | |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| Date | Destination | Comments |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| 6-Aug | Beirut |-Portuguese Air |
| | |Force |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
| 7-Aug | Beirut |-Portuguese Air |
| | |Force |
|--------------+--------------+-------------------|
Health/Nutrition
8. WHO is currently delivering a large quantity of donated drugs from
Jordan to Zahle (in the Beqaa Valley).
9. IMC has partnered with the MoSA and the American University in Beirut
(AUB) to develop health advisory brochures for distribution to an
estimated 50,000-10,000 IDPs.
10. The AUB Hospital has agreed to accept referrals from IMC health
units operating in eight locations (Tyre, Nabatiyeh, Saida, East Beirut
(Sinn El Fil/Bourj Hamoud), Aaley, Shuf, Byblos/Batroun and Masnaa/West
Bekaa)
11. According to UNICEF, some 8,000 children in 80 of the 144 IDP
centers have been vaccinated against measles and 3,000 against polio to
date.
Food
12. WFP has distributed over 311mts of food items to nearly 91,000
beneficiaries in Lebanon and Syria since 23 July. The food pipeline is
reportedly solid although WFP has not been able to access in-country
stocks of wheat flour, canned meat and vegetable oil. WFP met GoL
representatives to ascertain how to best use wheat flour stocks through
a joint bread production project.
Shelter/Non Food Items
13. UNDP has provided NFIs including hygiene supplies and kitchen kits
to the Civil Relief Campaign - a Beirut NGO consortium - for
distribution to 1,500 IDPs in centers managed by the University of St.
Joseph; and the National Rehabilitation and Development Centre, which
serves some 50 disabled persons in the Chouf area.
14. According to UNCHR, the cluster lead for Shelter/NFI, existing
stocks of NFIs are under becoming increasingly strained.
Water and Sanitation
15. A UN convoy of six trucks of essential drugs and water have been
delivered to Tyre hospital, where some 200 people are sheltering.
Procurement and distribution of chlorine tablets for safe drinking water
as well as hygiene promotion activities are a priority due to reports of
increased cases of diarrhoea among the displaced.
16. UNICEF dispatched three trucks of bottled water (30,000 liters
total.) today in a convoy destined for Tyre.
17. UNICEF also sent 100 family water kits, 47 cartons of essential
drugs, 200 cartons of feminine hygiene items and 200 cartons of diapers
for UNICEF, as well as supplies from the GoL HRC.
18. UNFPA has provided an additional 2,000 hygiene kits, especially to
assist women and girls in Lebanon IDP communities.
Protection
19. Key issues among Protection partners include safe evacuation of
Third Country Nationals (TCNs), locating all displaced Palestinians and
psychosocial support for children.
20. UNICEF is distributing 3,000 copies of the Guidelines on IDP
Protection are being circulated through the MoSA, to raise awareness
among social workers and NGO staff.
Education
21. UNICEF reports that a School Level Assessment Questionnaire is being
finalized and assessments will begin on Monday.
FUNDING
22. The UN encourages donors who wish to contribute in-kind to the
Lebanon response to do so against the requirements as laid out in the
UN's Flash Appeal.
Flash Appeal
23. According to OCHA's Financial Tracking System (FTS), nearly US $41
million has now been made available to agencies through the UN/NGO Flash
Appeal. A further US $28.5 million has been pledged. For the latest
funding requirements, contributions, and list of projects, see 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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Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
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Center for International web: www.cidi.org
Disaster Information listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
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Lebanon www.cidi.org/humanitarian/hsr/me-06g