Skip to main content

Lebanon war prompts UN to double humanitarian appeal

1 min Mena Today

The United Nations on Friday said it is doubling the amount of money it says it needs to help Lebanon meet surging humanitarian needs, as the war enters its fourth month.

Imran Riza, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Reuters/Ahmad Al-Kerdi

Imran Riza, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Reuters/Ahmad Al-Kerdi

The United Nations on Friday said it is doubling the amount of money it says it needs to help Lebanon meet surging humanitarian needs, as the war enters its fourth month.

Lebanon was drawn into the wider regional war in early March when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, which was under U.S.-Israeli attack, prompting a major Israeli air and ground campaign.

Since March 2, more than 3,500 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to Lebanese authorities, whose data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel says 26 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since March. 

The U.N. on Friday will launch a fresh aid appeal with the Lebanese government to seek an additional $331.5 million to reach 1.4 million people, bringing the total appeal to $639.9 million.

So far it has received $185.9 million as of May 31.

"In the past three months, communities across Lebanon have faced an appalling situation due to the escalation of hostilities," U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza said, pointing to high casualties, widespread displacement and extensive damage to infrastructure.

"The toll on civilians is alarming and worsening by the day."

By Olivia Le Poidevin

Related

Hezbollah

Hezbollah and the Houthis: a denial few believe

Hezbollah on Wednesday rejected accusations that it had dispatched experts to Yemen to fight alongside the Houthis in their war against the internationally recognised government and Saudi Arabia. 

Iraq

2,600 years of history: Baghdad honours its Jewish past

Behind a carved wooden door on Baghdad’s historic al-Rashid Street, Iraq’s first Jewish museum has opened its doors. Named “Shamash,” it tells the story of a community that once thrived in Iraq for more than 2,500 years, before almost entirely disappearing

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.