UN Doubles Lebanon Aid Appeal to $640M Amid Israeli War
The Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon
The United Nations has doubled its call for aid to Lebanon as it bids to stem a “severe and deteriorating” humanitarian crisis brought on by four months of war with Israel.
The UN's Revised Aid Appeal
The UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA said on Friday that it needs nearly $640m over the next six months. In March, as the hostilities broke out in response to the United States and Israeli attacks on Iran, the UN had said $308m would be needed.
- Original appeal: $308m
- Revised appeal: $640m
- Amount received so far: $185m
The Impact of the Conflict
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reports that the death toll from Israeli attacks has risen to 3,526 people, with a further 10,733 wounded since March 2. More than one million people have been forced to flee their homes and remain displaced.
The Strain on Essential Services
“Repeated displacements, insufficient shelter capacity and limited prospects for safe return are deepening vulnerability,” OCHA said in a statement.
“Affected people are rapidly exhausting their coping capacities, and essential services are under increasing strain”.
The Economic and Health Consequences
The UN said the economy was worsening the situation in Lebanon, as fuel and electricity prices have risen due to the effects of the US-Israeli war on Iran on global energy supplies.
The strain on the healthcare economy has forced the closure of 62 hospitals that have been damaged or closed, according to OCHA. Lebanese health authorities also reported that more than 100 paramedics have been killed in the conflict.
The Future Outlook
Hezbollah has rejected the conditional ceasefire agreed by Lebanese and Israeli representatives in Washington on Thursday, instead demanding a full ceasefire and the full withdrawal of the Israeli army from the country.