Destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon. Amid the critical situation in southern Lebanon, the UN calls for support for humanitarian operations in the country Humanitarian aid
On Thursday, a humanitarian convoy from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) arrived at a large hospital in the city of Tebnin in southern Lebanon. Foundation employees discovered large-scale destruction there; the hospital lacks the most basic necessities.
“I was here two weeks ago, and today we returned with a convoy… but the difference is that today the entire street in front of the hospital is completely destroyed,” said UNICEF representative Christophe Boulierac.
In an exclusive interview with the UN News Service, he said that although the hospital building itself stood, most of the surrounding buildings were destroyed. The streets are buried under piles of rubble, and burnt-out cars are visible at every step.
“All the buildings on the streets in the immediate vicinity of the hospital were fine two weeks ago, but today they are completely, absolutely destroyed,” Bullerak emphasized.
The hospital is partially functioning, but it is running out of water and medicine. “I don’t know what’s going on with the generator, but it’s probably not working properly,” said a UNICEF official, adding that the foundation’s solar panel system had been damaged.
As the ceasefire with Israel holds, many displaced people are returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, but some are finding nothing but ruins.
The situation is still very difficult, especially for the civilian population, Bullerac said, pointing to serious problems with water supply, electricity, health and education services.
Tribute to the memory of the fallen “blues” helmets”
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Wednesday that continued support for Lebanon from UN member states would be “essential” to strengthen the country’s national armed forces and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people.
“Israel will have to do whatever is necessary to create the space, as well as the political, practical and security conditions, for this to happen,” he said Lacroix.
He noted that the presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon is a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701.
Lacroix also paid tribute to the five peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) who died in the south of the country. Three of them were soldiers from Indonesia, two from France.
The death of 31-year-old French Master Corporal Anicet Girardin was announced on Wednesday. He was wounded by gunfire on a UNIFIL convoy on April 18 while peacekeepers were clearing the road. Girardin was transported to a hospital in France, where he later died.
Initial investigations revealed that the Blue Helmets came under fire from armed groups believed to be Hezbollah.
“I express my condolences to France and Indonesia, as well as to the families of the fallen peacekeepers,” he said Lacroix.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said attacks on peacekeepers must stop.
“They constitute gross violations of international humanitarian law and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and may amount to war crimes,” – he added.