UNICEF announces cutback in Lebanon as US slashes funding

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
Today 18:24

UNICEF has announced that it will be reducing its operations in Lebanon after the United States cut off funding.

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UNICEF health workers sanitize tents as part of their cholera outbreak containment response, at a Syrian refugee camp in Bhanine village, in the northern Akkar province, Lebanon, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. (AP)

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has had to reduce its operations in Lebanon due to the suspension of US funding, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Lebanon Ettie Higgins said on Friday.

"We have been forced to suspend or cut back or drastically reduce many of our programs and that includes the nutrition programs," Higgins told reporters in Geneva via video link from Beirut.

She also highlighted the severe conditions in eastern Lebanon, where over half of the children under the age of two are experiencing acute food shortages.

This comes as Lebanon recovers from the two-month war "Israel" waged back in September. However, Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on November 27, persist unabated, with the Israeli occupation insisting on remaining in five positions across South Lebanon.

Last week, the Lebanese Army announced that its units are continuing their deployment across all southern border towns, while the Israeli occupation persists "in shirking its commitments and in violating Lebanese sovereignty through ongoing attacks on the security of Lebanon and its citizens."

In a statement, the military confirmed that Israeli forces remain stationed at several border points. It said the army's deployment along the border is being carried out in coordination with the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and UNIFIL following the Israeli withdrawal.

However, the army pointed out that the Israeli military has not fully withdrawn from Lebanese territory as required by international conventions, legal frameworks, and UN resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 1701.