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Lebanon + 1 more

Humanitarian Crisis in the Middle East DREF Bulletin No. MDR81001

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 183 countries.
In Brief

This DREF Bulletin is being issued based on the situation described below reflecting the information available at this time. The impact on the humanitarian situation is rapidly evolving, and assessments to determine detailed needs are currently being organized and undertaken. CHF 200,000 (USD 159,120 or EUR 127,455) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support assessment efforts in Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, and other countries to respond to the needs as they become clearer, or to replenish stocks distributed to the affected population. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged. A Preliminary Emergency Appeal is in preparation, and will be launched shortly.

This operation is aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Global Agenda Goals:

- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.

- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.

- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.

- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

Background and current situation

After eight days of escalating hostilities in Lebanon, reports indicate over 260 people have died, with over 860 wounded. More than 70,000 people have reportedly been evacuated to other areas of Beirut. Missile attacks into Israel have reportedly caused thirteen deaths. The clashes have increased tension throughout the region, with a disproportionate impact on the general population in Lebanon, creating a humanitarian crisis and considerable fear that is provoking mass population movements to Syria for those seeking shelter, safety, or humanitarian relief assistance. Foreign nationals from other countries caught up in the hostilities are being evacuated by plane and ship to nearby locations, including Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, and other countries.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is lead agency for coordinating the Movement activities in Lebanon. The International Federation is focusing efforts on needs in surrounding countries where those fleeing the conflict are arriving, and where the national societies have expressed a need for additional support. CHF 200,000 (USD 159,120 or USD 127,455) has therefore been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to provide immediate support for assessments in Syria, Cyprus, and Egypt, and to immediately respond by assisting the national societies to deliver needed humanitarian relief items. A Preliminary Emergency Appeal is in preparation, and is expected to be launched in the coming days.

Action undertaken by the Lebanese Red Cross Society (LRCS) and Magom Davide Adom (MDA) are reflected on the Federation's Disaster Management Information System (DMIS). Updates from national societies in other countries are anticipated shortly.

The most extensive information available has originated from Syria where the Federation's regional health delegate and head of regional delegation have been in contact with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The SARC activities currently involve the distribution of blankets and other non-food items to new arrivals; an SARC medical teams is carrying out first aid, treatment of diarrheal cases in children, and treatment of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, hypertension)

Regarding the situation at the Lebanon-Syria border crossing points, the SARC reports that the situation is generally stable and under control. The number of people crossing varies each day, and very much depends on the intensity of the action in Lebanon. There is reportedly no current humanitarian crisis at the border, but the situation is being monitored regularly. Telephone communications with Lebanon are still functioning, but satellite phones to potentially support restoring family links (RFL) should be prepared (if needed).

Djussieh border crossing: reported around 5,000 people, mostly Syrians and Lebanese, crossed the border on 17 July, 2006. This constitutes the largest number of people crossing the border in the last few days. People are not stopping at the border, but rather continuing directly to families or friends in Syria. There are no specific requests from those crossing, and no medical cases reported.

Al Arida border crossing (located on the northwest of Lebanon): most of the people who crossed the border on 17 July were foreigners and people with dual citizenship. The SARC has allocated one support team. On 17 July around 1,200 Danish citizens passed the border and they were expected approximately the same number of people on 18 July. They asked if the SARC can support them with bottled water since their supplies had not yet arrived.

Dabusiya border crossing: a relatively large one. According to the authorities, some 12,500 people crossed the border until mid-day on 17 July, and a total of 25,000 - 30,000 were estimated to have crossed that that day. The majority of people who crossed the border are Lebanese, Syrians and Arabs. The SARC has a support team located there, distributing water and basic medicine if there is a need (paracetamol and pain killers). The SARC team has 4 members/volunteers. There was no need for medical interventions during the day, and no reports regarding injured people.

In Egypt, the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) reports that more than 3,000-5,000 Palestinians are queuing to cross the border into Gaza. In order to monitor the situation on the ground, to evaluate the humanitarian conditions in the terminal, and to double check the readiness of the ERCS to face any potential deterioration of the general situation , The ERCS has named an operational lead manager to assist and advise the general director, and they plan to conduct a field visit shortly to assess the situation.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

In Amman (for Syria and Jordan): Ahmed Gizo, Head of Middle East office, 009626-5694556; Ahmedadam GIZO@ifrc.org

In Tunis, Tunisia (for Egypt); Anne Leclerc, Head of Regional Delegation, Tunis; Phone: 00 216 71 8624 85, fax: 00 216 71 86 29 71; email: ifrctu01@ifrc.org

In Geneva:

Malika Ait-Mohamed Parent, Head of MENA Department; mobile: +41 79 725 2120, email: Malika.Ait@ifrc.org

Marie Francoise Borel, Media and Communications Department:, phone: +41 22 730 4346; mobile: +41 79 217 3345; email: marie-francoise.borel@ifrc.org

John English, Operations Support Coordinator, phone: +41 22 730 4527; mobile: +41 79 251 8023; email: john.english@ifrc.org

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org