UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced a flash humanitarian appeal of $308.3 million to support civilians in Lebanon, where ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's rocket counter-attacks have forced approximately 816,000 Lebanese to be internally displaced, a number expected to increase.
During a visit to Beirut, the war-torn country's capital, Guterres expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people. He emphasized the urgent need for action to match words of support, stating, "This aid is urgently needed. The military escalation in the region, including in Lebanon, is causing great suffering."
The Middle East crisis has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including many children, and has uprooted entire communities, disrupting access to essential services such as food, water, healthcare, education, and more. Evacuation orders now cover a larger part of the country than ever before.
Moreover, over 90,000 individuals, primarily Syrians but also Lebanese, have crossed into Syria seeking safety.
Guterres stressed that the success of the appeal relies on prompt and flexible funding, as well as ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers reaching those most in need. He called for immediate support to establish a ceasefire accepted by both sides, paving the way for negotiations to safeguard Lebanon's territorial integrity and ensure the state's monopoly on the use of force. The UN stands ready to assist the government in these efforts.
Acknowledging Lebanon's history of providing refuge to those fleeing conflicts, Guterres called for global solidarity to support the country in its time of crisis. He commended the courage and solidarity shown by individuals and organizations on the ground, highlighting the efforts of schools providing shelter and health workers delivering services under challenging conditions.
The flash appeal aims to sustain and expand lifesaving aid over the next three months, covering food, clean water, healthcare, education, protection, and other essential services. United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners are collaborating with national authorities to respond swiftly, delivering crucial supplies to save lives and alleviate suffering, but further support is crucial.
