Lebanon - Humanitarian Emergency
|
| Map of Lebanon |
Regional Team: EMCA
Humanitarian Emergency Declared: 07/25/06
Brief Description: On July 12, conflict escalated between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut. Throughout late July and early August, more than 975,000 residents fled their homes, and many areas of the country suffered extensive damage. On August 14, the Government of Israel and Hezbollah officially implemented a ceasefire in response to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Since the ceasefire took effect, the GOL Higher Relief Council (HRC) estimates that nearly 720,000 displaced persons have returned to their homes, although approximately 250,000 others remain displaced, primarily with host families. The ceasefire has resulted in increased humanitarian access to affected areas, but damaged infrastructure and the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remain a challenge for organizations providing humanitarian assistance. To date, the HRC reports that nearly 1,200 Lebanese have been killed and more than 4,000 injured.
On July 25, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman declared a humanitarian emergency in Lebanon due to ongoing insecurity and humanitarian needs. On July 23, a USG Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) arrived in the region to assess the most immediate needs of those affected by this emergency. The DART has worked closely with the Government of Lebanon (GOL), U.N. agencies, and international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to identify needs and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance. Through support to U.N. agencies and NGOs, the USG has met priority needs, including water and sanitation services, emergency shelter, health services, psychosocial support for affected youth, demining and UXO removal, humanitarian coordination, and transportation of relief supplies and personnel. In total, U.S. President George W. Bush has pledged $230 million in USG humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Lebanon.
FY2007
FY2006
Back to Top ^
|
