LEBANON HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

Geneva, August 16, 2006

Dear colleagues,

ACT member the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) reports that on the 3rd day after the cessation of military operations, despite the dangers of unexploded military ordnance in the conflict zone, the Lebanese displaced from the south of Lebanon and southern suburbs of Beirut are now returning home. Those from the sector between the Litani river and the border are still reluctant to go back, considering the situation still unclear. They have preferred to wait to ensure the safety of return. The coastal roads to the south and Nabatieh are crowded with cars, vehicles, and trucks of the returnees, in addition to convoys of humanitarian aid, including medicine, food supplies and fuel. The removal of rubble and corpses is happening and collective funerals are taking place in various locations.

The country is still under blockade (sea and air) until the Lebanese army is deployed in the south, supported by the UN peacekeeping forces, and in compliance with the 1701 resolution.

The Higher Relief Council (HRC) in Lebanon reports that the total number of Lebanese killed in the conflict stands at 1,110 and the number of injured is 3,941, several dozen of which are known to be attributed to cluster munitions.

MECC Regional Coordinators, Robert Nicholas and Gaith Maalouf, have returned to their towns in south Lebanon. They have started to re-assess the needs and the movement of people returning and to evaluate the most suitable time to start the post -crisis response. MECC is now also engaged in increasing its capacity in both Beirut and the south, by setting up warehouses in the different areas and field workers to carry out the crisis and post-crisis operations. To date, MECC has distributed 4,583 food and non-food parcels and 463 mattresses, responding to 59 urgent requests from different centers and organizations. In relation to the water and sanitation component, the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) team was today visiting south Beirut and Saida to re-assess the situation. They report that most of the people are leaving the refugee centers and there is urgent need to support their return to their original places.

MECC continued hosting visitors from the ACT Alliance, such as a team from the Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) who arrived yesterday to visit the affected areas in order to define their support to the ACT appeal. MECC has also signed an agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Lebanon for joint efforts on distributing medical aid relief.

ACT member International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) reports that through their office in Lebanon they are assisting 1000 families, providing food aid and using their network of schools and churches.

Considering the current situation, where the displaced population is starting to return, the preliminary appeal will be revised to include 3 months crisis and 9 months’ post-crisis interventions. MECC is working on the revision of the appeal, which will be issued next week.