United Nations, Oct 4 (Alliance News): Civilians in Lebanon, including those in Beirut, are fleeing widespread destruction as Israeli airstrikes persist.
The UN reports escalating displacement and growing humanitarian needs, with 1,600 lives lost and 6,000 injured in recent days.
Amid relentless Israeli airstrikes, thousands of Lebanese civilians have been uprooted from their homes, particularly in central Beirut and southern Lebanon.
UN agencies report severe destruction and fear among the displaced, with humanitarian workers struggling to assist those in need despite facing displacement themselves.
UN officials in Lebanon described the dire situation, with UN Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza saying that aid efforts continue amid ongoing attacks.
Jeanine Hennis, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, described the atmosphere in Beirut as filled with “anxiety and fear,” as residents endure sleepless nights counting the blasts that shake the city.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 1,600 people have been killed, and 6,000 others injured, with hospitals overwhelmed. World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the death toll continues to rise.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis, stressing the urgent need for international assistance to provide food, hygiene, and medical care.
Displaced families described their traumatic experiences, with many unsure if they would survive.
Children have been particularly affected, as UNICEF reported on the distress faced by young victims of the conflict. Zeinab, a 14-year-old girl, described her family’s harrowing escape from southern Lebanon, fearing for their lives as shelling echoed around them.
UN agencies, including UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), are working to provide essential supplies and services to the displaced, but they warn that as the conflict escalates, the need for assistance is growing rapidly.
