Humanitarian Situation Continues To Worsen In Lebanon Despite Ceasefire: UN

NEW YORK, May 12 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in Lebanon despite the ceasefire, with attacks on health-related sites and the killing of paramedics, United Nations (UN) humanitarians said on Monday, reported Xinhua.

More than 100 strikes were reported in the past 24 hours alone, while 87 people were killed over the weekend, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

At least 2,846 people have been killed and 8,693 others injured since the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, said OCHA, citing figures from the Lebanese Public Health Ministry.

On Monday, the ministry reported that two paramedics were killed and several others wounded in airstrikes targeting health-related sites in the towns of Qalaway and Tibnin in southern Lebanon.

The paramedics were responding to earlier incidents when they were killed, said OCHA.

Since the start of the escalation, the World Health Organisation has recorded 158 attacks on health care, resulting in 108 deaths and 249 injuries.

"The UN reiterates that attacks on humanitarian and medical personnel are unacceptable and further undermine an overstretched health system and access to emergency care for civilians," said OCHA.

Three hospitals and 41 primary health care centres remain closed, while several others operate only partially.

In southern governorates, six hospitals have yet to resume maternity services suspended during the escalation, said the office.

Over the weekend, Israel issued renewed displacement orders for multiple towns and villages in southern Lebanon and the Nabatieh governorate, contributing to new displacement and placing additional pressure on collective shelters and host communities, said OCHA.

"Health partners note that displaced people, including the most vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, often face limited access to adequate and diverse food, which increases health risks," it said.

Humanitarian partners continue to deliver critical assistance and services in close coordination with the Lebanese government despite challenges, said OCHA.

It said further that to date, health partners have supported more than 585 hospital admissions, administered over 18,000 vaccine doses through primary health care centres, and provided more than 4,300 prenatal care consultations.

In addition, partners in food security have distributed more than 8.4 million meals, it said.

However, humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources, with just 41 per cent of the flash appeal that requires US$308 million funded for the period from March to the end of May, said OCHA.

"Without full funding, critical services, such as health, water and sanitation, will be interrupted."  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA