'Catastrophic' humanitarian state in Lebanon amid mass displacement
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Lebanon's refugee centers are now insufficient to shelter civilians forced to leave their homes and towns amid the intense Israeli attacks.
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Families sleep on Beirut's corniche after fleeing the Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's Southern Subburb, in Lebanon, on Monday, September 30, 2024. (AP)
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is close to "catastrophic" as a result of the mass forced displacement of civilians from villages and towns subjected to Israeli aggression in the South, the Minister for Social Affairs in the Lebanese caretaker government, Hector Hajjar, told Sputnik on Wednesday.
"The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is being seriously tested. The government is doing everything possible despite the great difficulties," he said, adding, "Lebanon is in a catastrophic situation, and we thank everyone who helped and continues to help us."
Hajjar also revealed that almost 150,000 civilians have been accommodated, while 400,000 remain in need of shelter, with more expected to arrive as the war rages on. However, refugee centers have reached maximum capacity amid the influx of displacement.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati previously stated that around 1.2 million civilians were forced to leave their homes and villages amid "Israel's" intense and indiscriminate bombardment of the South.
"It is the largest displacement movement that may have happened... in Lebanon," Mikati highlighted.
Read more: UNRWA chief: Lebanon’s displaced ‘traumatized by bombardment’
UN alarmed by situation in Lebanon, opposes any ground invasions
The United Nations voiced deep concern on Monday over the deteriorating situation in Lebanon as Israeli attacks intensify, underscoring its opposition from "Israel's" reported plans for a ground invasion of the country.
The Israeli occupation military announced the launching of what it called a "targeted and limited" incursion focused on Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in a number of southern Lebanese villages along the border.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the events that are unfolding in Lebanon," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a press briefing.
Highlighting the impact on civilians, Dujarric announced that a new humanitarian "flash appeal" would be launched on Tuesday to mobilize additional resources to address the needs of approximately one million people affected by the crisis, including those displaced from South Lebanon.
When asked whether the UN would urge "Israel" to halt any ground invasion, Dujarric responded, "The secretary-general has called (for this) and will continue to do so. We do not want to see any sort of ground invasions."
