GENEVA (WAM)
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the current situation in Lebanon is dangerous for children, who are under constant attack and displaced from their homes with an overstretched health system unable to provide adequate resources.
UNICEF's deputy representative in Lebanon, Ettie Higgins, in a video press conference from Beirut for journalists in Geneva, said, “On Monday alone, at least 35 children were reportedly killed in Lebanon. This is more than the number of children killed in Lebanon in the past 11 months."
She warned the escalation of conflict in Lebanon poses a severe threat to children, particularly those from southern and eastern regions who have been compelled to flee their homes.
“This growing displacement crisis adds to the already significant number of approximately 112,000 individuals displaced since last October, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to protect vulnerable populations.”
The UNICEF official said this time could be worse for Lebanon's children than the 2006 war, noting that 87 new shelters have been set up to accommodate the displaced in the south, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa, and northern governorates, while the organisation is stepping up its response to deliver food, water and basic supplies to displaced families.
The UNICEF has already purchased and delivered 100 tonnes of emergency medical supplies to hospitals facing severe shortages and supply shortages, she said, adding that more medical supplies are expected to arrive this week.
WHO Representative in Lebanon, Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, said that WHO, in cooperation with partners, is working on a response plan that will be released in the coming days to support the Lebanese health sector, stressing the need to protect health workers, facilities, supplies and means of transport.
Hospitals in Lebanon have faced significant challenges in managing the number of casualties since last week, with thousands of injuries requiring bandages and surgeries, he said, noting that 2,078 surgeries were performed on those injured in the events on 17, 18 and 20 September, while 777 people are currently being treated in hospitals, with 158 critical cases in intensive care.