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Lebanon

UNICEF thanks Bahrain for Lebanon donation

$1 million will give greater degree of flexibility to UNICEF relief operation

BEIRUT, 24 August 2006 - UNICEF said today that it had received an unprecedented donation from the Kingdom of Bahrain for its relief operation in Lebanon.

The nature of the one million dollar donation is such that the funds can be used in the current relief operation in Lebanon at the discretion of UNICEF, rather than having the money tied to a particular project or programme. Money can be directed at needs as they arise in the fast moving emergency scenario.

"As thousands of Lebanese families return to their homes, children face the dangers of unexploded ordnance, and the threat of disease from lack of water," said Roberto Laurenti, UNICEF's Representative in Lebanon. "This generous donation from the Kingdom of Bahrain will help us to provide the humanitarian assistance they so urgently need."

Since the start of the crisis in Lebanon, UNICEF has provided:

- 51 Water Tanks with a 5,000 litres capacity, to IDP centres in Beirut, Aley, Metn and Chouf areas; Beneficiaries reached: 25,300 persons. 1 x 5,000 litre tank and 2 x 1,500 litre tanks supplied to Marjayoun;

- Over 1 million litres of drinking water has been provided weekly to IDP centres in Beirut and Metn areas (300,000 litres weekly);

- Over 300,800 litres of bottled water to communities in south Lebanon;

- 385 water kits (containing collapsible containers, purification tablets and other items) throughout Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the South, North, and Bekaa; IDPs reached: 78,000;

- 3,150 boxes of water purification tablets to Beirut and the South; IDPs reached: 63,000;

- Essential drugs (including ORS & lice treatment) reaching 70,000;

- Vaccination against measles to 16,500 children: vaccination against polio to more than 9,000 ; Vitamin A capsules for more than 9,000;

- Implementation of public awareness campaign on the threat posed by unexploded ordnance. TV and radio spots have been produced and aired; 100,000 leaflets are being distributed at army checkpoints in south Lebanon;

- 27,840 bags/bars of soap to Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the South, North, Bekaa; IDPs reached: 101,000;

- 279,000 diapers to Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the South, North, and Bekaa; Children reached: 91,000;

- 370 recreation kits containing footballs and other games equipment. Children reached: 21,000.

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About UNICEF

For 60 years UNICEF has been the world's leader for children, working on the ground in 156 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For more information, please contact:

Wolfgang Friedl, UNICEF Amman: Tel (+962) 6 553 9977 ext 422; wfriedl@unicef.org
Soha Boustani, UNICEF Beirut: Tel (+961) 3 236 167; sboustani@unicef.org
Simon Ingram, UNICEF Beirut: Tel (+961) 70 971 387/ (+2012) 214 2567; singram@unicef.org
Michael Bociurkiw, UNICEF Geneva: Tel +41 79-216-9401; mbociurkiw@unicef.org
Gordon Weiss, UNICEF New York: Tel +1 212-326-7426; gweiss@unicef.org