As the current crisis in Lebanon enters its third week, the situation of the country continues to deteriorate. The number of civilian casualties is escalating at an alarming rate, with many more injured and displaced. Most recently, there have been overnight air strikes on the city of Qana in Southern Lebanon, which claimed the lives of many civilians particularly children. WHO has strongly condemned this attack, which has seriously added to an already severely high death toll and which further complicates this human catastrophe.

The World Health Organization in close collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health leads the health cluster among the aid agencies. The cluster has been coordinating its efforts to cater to the urgent health needs of all civilians affected by the conflict. The WHO Regional Director Dr Hussein A. Gezairy and the Director General’s Special representative for Health Action in Crisis, Dr Ala’Din Alwan have paid visits to The Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon to monitor the situation closely and strengthen WHO’s operations in the conflict affected areas. Humanitarian aid and medical supplies need to be distributed immediately through Lebanon’s neighbouring countries, specifically The Syrian Arab Republic, Jordan and Cyprus. However, this is proving to be very difficult as routes into Lebanon are as yet unsafe or closed. This problem can only be solved if an immediate ceasefire comes into force.

Below is a summary of how the health situation stands:

• UN convoys carrying medical supplies, including WHO medical ones successfully managed to reach certain affected areas in Southern Lebanon. The supplies are enough for 50,000 people for 3 months. They include emergency health kits, oral rehydration salts and other items. More convoys are being organized

• WHO is ensuring sufficient quantities of chlorine are available to improve access to safe drinking water. UNICEF is distributing drinking water and installing water tanks

• 2 new shelters will soon be opened in The Syrian Arab Republic to accommodate thousands of Lebanese refugees

• WHO is setting up a surveillance system in both Lebanon and Syria to monitor the health status of the displaced population.

• With the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Lebanon such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, thousands of people need regular medication or treatment to survive. WHO has been trying to procure medication from the local market and neighbouring countries

• A measles immunization campaign is scheduled for next week in Beirut

• A number of psychotherapy workshops are being conducted for all staff working with Lebanese refugees

• Pledges from a number of donors have been received by WHO. These include Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Norway and Sweden. WHO estimates that over $32 million dollars will be needed for health needs alone.