Humanitarian situation in Lebanon is seriously deteriorating due to the continuous military operations that hit the Lebanese capital Beirut and its districts causing a full destruction of its infrastructure and public facilities. In the meantime, roads were closed preventing relief teams from action.

The World Health Organization has serious concerns that all population in South Lebanon have no access to relief aids and health care services with the military operations passing its 12th day and number of civilian casualities is over 350 deaths 1200 murdered and over 600.000 displaced of which 108000 are temporarily housed in schools.

WHO particularly mourned against the alarming low availability of drinking water, diminishing fuel supplies, food insecurity and precarious hygiene and sanitation, a situation that will likely lead to unpredictable disease outbreak. The World Health Organization drew attention to the fact that the insecurity coupled with the full damage of the infrastructure, provision of specialized care and medicine for the chronically ill, such as diabetics, hypertensive, patients with heart and renal impairments has been curtailed.

Ian Egland, United Emergency relief coordinator had met senior officials in Lebanese government, heads of NGO’s and representatives of relief agencies to discuss ways to ensure provision of AIDS to affected people. He requested that safe humanitarian passages be accessible for this prupose.

WHO is increasing the stuffing number and logistic support to enhance relief operations currently undertaken inside Lebanon and from Syria. The organization is preparing to place health staff in schools that are currently functioning as shelters, in order to monitor health conditions.

A humanitarian response is being emphasized from a regional perspective with surge capacities established in neighbouring countries, Jordan, Syria and Cyprus, to afford flexibility and operational freedom in of geographical expansion of conflict or changing security situation.

WHO finalized assessment of the health component. An amount of 32.4 million dollars is urgently needed. In this respect WHO issued a flash appeal calling upon donors, governments and International Community to urgently provide this amount to cover the badly needed medicines and vaccines and to ensure the necessary preventive and health care services.