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Lebanon response OCHA situation report No. 22

Key development
Hostilities Cease: Thousands Journey Home

Major population movements have been reported across Lebanon today following the cessation of hostilities this morning. UNHCR monitoring teams deployed on major transit routes south of Beirut estimated that approximately 6,000 people moved from Beirut to areas in the south today. Approximately 10,000 refugees reportedly moved back into Lebanon from crossing points at Dabbeuesia, Yabous, Al Aarida and Juseah. UNIFIL also reports the movement of approximately 7,000 to 8,000 persons south to Nabatiye, Tyre, Sarita, Qana and Jwayya. The heavy volume of traffic, together with damage to many main and minor roads, resulted in traffic jams in key locations on route to the south, including at the Litani River crossing.

UXOs Pose Major Threat to Returnees

UNMAS reported a number of UXO and sub-munitions incidents following population movements today, including the death of a child in Tyre and eight civilian injuries in Kfar Roumane, and Nabatiye.

Convoys reach Tyre, Rmeish-Debel

Within minutes of hostilities ending, two UN convoys carrying food, water, medicine and hygiene supplies set off from Saida to Tyre. Seven of the 24 trucks have already distributed food and water in Tyre and villages close by, while 14 trucks will proceed to Rmeish-Debel tomorrow.

Key developments

No Concurrence Required for UN Land Convoys

While the UN will continue to notify the IDF of convoy movements, it has been agreed that concurrence for movement will no longer be requested.

IDF Naval Blockade Stands According to WFP

WFP have reported that the Israeli Navy has continued to maintain its naval blockade of the Lebanese coast, despite the adoption of SCR 1701. The HC is seeking confirmation and will provide information to the humanitarian community as it becomes available.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. The total number of Lebanese killed in the month-long conflict reached 1,109, and nearly 3,700 were injured, according to GoL Higher Relief Council figures. Fierce fighting in the final 24 hours before the ceasefire claimed the lives of at least 11 Lebanese civilians. The Government of Israel reports that 43 Israeli civilians have been killed.

2. The Humanitarian Hub in Saida will initially be located in the UNRWA office. Immediate priorities for staff arriving are to work with local authorities to identify specific needs and shortages, and undertake rapid assessment of IDP sites.

3. Lebanon's Minister of Environment has warned of toxic fumes and contaminated seafood caused by the fires and oil spill from the Jiyyeh power plant. The cost for a comprehensive clean-up for the oil spill has been estimated at US $150 million with work taking up to a year.

Security

4. An UNRWA staff member was killed at the Ein el Hilweh Refugee Camp in an Israeli air strike only an hour and a half before the cessation of hostilities this morning.

5. Four UNIFIL outposts where heavily shelled last night even as the deadline for the ceasefire drew near. While serious damage to these compounds was reported, there were no casualties among UNIFIL observers. The Tibnin(4), Haris(2), At Tiri(2) and Marun al Ras(1) compounds received a total of 85 direct hits from IDF artillery (of which 35 impacted inside the position in the area of Tibnin). Additionally, the IDF fired approximately 10 rockets and over 100 artillery rounds within the immediate vicinity of these and other UN positions, including the UNIFIL HQ in Naqoura.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Logistics

6. Within minutes of the cessation of hostilities this morning, the UN dispatched two humanitarian convoys totaling 24 trucks carrying food, medical supplies, water and sanitary goods to Tyre. In total, nine convoys have been dispatched today, with the other seven heading for destinations including Hasbaya in the south-east, Saida (Sidon), and Tripoli. In addition to emergency supplies, key security and road assessments will be made.

7. The ship Anamcara is still in the process of unloading cargo delivered to Beirut yesterday. WFP reports that the ship is scheduled to set to sail to Tyre tomorrow, carrying 21 trucks altogether: five with food commodities, five with drinking water, hygiene supplies and water purification tablets, and two fuel tankers - one for emergency hospital supplies, the other for relief operations. An additional nine WFP trucks carrying food items will overnight in Tyre, and then proceed to Tibnin and Jwaya the following day.

8. Another land convoy is planned tomorrow for Sarasand, on the coast between Saida and Tyre, with four WFP food trucks and a bus for the Tyre humanitarian hub.

Health/Nutrition

9. No outbreaks of communicable disease have been reported, but urgent needs are still reported in the areas of hygiene, sanitation and essential drugs, especially in the South.

Food

10. Food agencies say that the current priority is to provide basic commodities (staple foods) to the highest number of beneficiaries. The current ration includes 60g canned meat, 30g vegetable oil, and 420g wheat flour and 300g hi-energy biscuits (HEBs).

11. UNRWA's Lebanon Field Office reports that it is facing a critical shortage of basic food commodities, to meet the needs of both the IDP population being cared for by the Agency (20,000 persons) and UNRWA's normal caseload of special hardship cases, persons unable to support themselves.

Shelter

12. UNHCR says displaced populations returning to destroyed homes will be offered tents for short-term shelter, but the Government and other agencies are working on more permanent shelter options (such as the furbishing of one warm room) to help families prepare for the coming winter months.

13. Some 50,000 tents, 230,000 mattresses, 172,000 blankets are en route to Beirut from around the region, as well as rub halls and delivery trucks. Work on a warehouse for arriving UN commodities in Saida commenced today.

Water and Sanitation (WatSan)

14. The return of IDPs means that the emphasis for WatSan is likely to change from schools and collective centers to home areas (mainly the south). Specifically, this will need rapid assessment of the extent of damage to water systems; installation of emergency water systems where damage is extreme; provision of fuel for pumping systems; water trucking; distribution of emergency bottled water supplies until systems are repaired; and repairs to sanitation systems, or the installation of emergency systems where required. All activities depend on access and the extent to which return is sustained.

15. UNICEF sub-offices in Tyre and Saida are open as of today, and a national staff member is due to be attached to the UNDP Office in the Chouf area of Mount Lebanon. Two national WatSan experts are scheduled to commence assessments in the South tomorrow.

16. Syria: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL) noted today that sanitation is a priority for the Lebanese still displaced in Syria. Flexible arrangements are needed given the fluidity of the situation.

Protection

17. IOM has now assisted some 11,000 Third Country Nationals (TCNs) to leave Lebanon, with a further 1,900 scheduled to be bussed to Syria in the next two days.

FUNDING

Flash Appeal

18. No increase has been reported since Saturday regarding the Flash Appeal for Lebanon/Syria. As of 14 August the appeal is 48% funded, with contributions of more than US $79 million and pledges worth US $10.2 million received.

19. WHO has received significant contributions against their programmes within the Flash Appeal with direct support from Australia, Canada, ECHO, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

20. Full details can be found on the FTS on http://www.reliefweb.int/fts.

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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