Lebanon: Support the ICRC Response to the Escalation of Conflict

Since October 2023, the renewed conflict in Gaza and its spillover into Lebanon have had severe humanitarian consequences. According to UN estimates, over 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, more than 1’200 people have been killed since October 2023.

Initially, it was the people of southern Lebanon who faced heightened tensions and incessant cross-border hostilities. However, the violence has rapidly escalated, resulting in thousands of casualties and claiming hundreds of lives. The country is now torn apart by violence, extending from the northern Bekaa Valley to the Baalbek-Hermel governorate, and even reaching the heart of Beirut.

The people in Lebanon have already been facing a deteriorating humanitarian situation coupled with severe economic crisis. They now face challenges in accessing basic goods, clean water, health services etc. as vital infrastructures are being damaged.

In light of the recent escalation of hostilities, particularly since Tuesday, 17 September 2024, the conflict has intensified to unprecedented levels, leading to a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation. In the face of the challenges and growing humanitarian needs, the ICRC, present in Lebanon since 1967, is now responding together with the Lebanese Red Crescent and local actors across three pillars of life-saving interventions/priorities:

1. Ensuring the protection of civilians.
2. Providing critical care to the war wounded.
3. Addressing the essential needs of those affected by the conflict.

In the next weeks, a special emphasis will be placed on addressing critical medical emergencies.

- We will immediately provide urgent medical and logistical assistance to Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH), ensuring they can handle up to 600 patients.

- We will place a special emphasis will be placed on addressing critical medical emergencies, such as performing C-sections and managing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) cases, alongside providing clinical support for rape victims.

- Beyond direct medical care, our contingency plans include covering the medical bills of non-Lebanese war-wounded patients at identified hospitals, ensuring that their treatment is not delayed during this critical window.

- To support RHUH’s operations, we will mobilize contingency stocks, including fuel and consumables for generators, as well as critical supplies for emergency repairs. These stocks will cover a broad range of medical essentials, from orthopedic materials and lab supplies to drugs and consumables sourced through WW kits and MCI cabinets.

- In addition to medical care, mobility devices and other necessary resources will be distributed to those in need as part of our broader contingency plan to provide immediate, life-saving assistance. By deploying these measures, we aim to stabilize the situation during the most vulnerable phase and provide the necessary support to the affected population.

The ICRC has been supporting the population since the tensions have escalated, in particular though:

Delivering vital medical supplies and ensuring continuity of medical services:

- We dispatched medications and consumables to 3 Emergency Medical Services, 12 Primary Healthcare Centers and 8 hospitals to help treat and care for the wounded.
- We provided contingency stocks sufficient of treating up to 2,000 patients over a 10-day period at Rafik Hariri University Hospital.
- We enhanced the emergency preparedness and response capabilities of 800 healthcare staff from 60 health structures.
- We helped 10 hospitals/health centres run by Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners to continue their daily operations with 2228,212 liters of fuel and 8 fuel tanks.
- We donated forensic items such as 1,790 body bags to hospitals to ensure the departed are treated with respect and dignity.

Ensuring essential needs are covered:

- We provided food assistance to 45,565 individuals (9,113 families) from 49 communities in collaboration with the Lebanese Red Cross.
- We maintained and repaired 15 pumping stations in affected areas to guarantee clean water for 565,000 individuals.
- We installed 10 large storage tanks to ensure a steady supply of water for affected communities in Southern Lebanon.

At all times, we are upholding the protection of civilians: We actively engage with parties to the conflict, reminding them of their obligations under IHL.

Today, the ICRC needs your support to protect and assist those affected by the horrors of war in Lebanon. We thank you for your trust.