UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 28 August 2006
Lebanon response OCHA situation report No. 35
Situation Overview
1. The Government of Lebanon (GoL) Higher Relief Council (HRC) reports the casualty figures at 1,187 killed and 4,061 injured. Most of the recent casualties have been caused by UXOs.
2. As of 28 August, 359 individual cluster bomb strike locations have been confirmed and recorded. Given that areas of lower priority and a number of villages with IDF presence nearby have yet to be visited, it is estimated the total number of strikes could be in excess of 400.
3. Un-exploded bombs (UXB) dropped by aircraft and ranging from 500lb to 2000lb, continue to be located. Many large, aircraft bombs lie un-exploded in people’s houses and gardens. The National Demining Office reports that the Lebanese Arm Forces have identified 69 unexploded bombs.
Assessments
Humanitarian Hub Update: TYRE
4. Rapid assessments were conducted since 24 August in Qantara, Ghanduriyah and Srifa revealing:
Humanitarian Hub Update: Beqaa Valley
5. Additional field assessments of villages in the Beqaa’ Valley affected by bombing were completed in the last three days and reveal:
Additional assessments
6. A joint assessment team including representatives from OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR, and WFP visited the villages of Bint Jbeil, Ayta Chaab and Aytaroun where they met with municipal authorities. Destruction in these areas is considered amongst the worst. In Bint Jbeil, 1,200 houses out of 1,500 were destroyed in Bint Jbeil. The rapid evaluation revealed the need for drinking and washing water.
7. A general coordination meeting was held in Tyre on 26 August, and cited on-going needs including water repairs and rubble removal, and the need for improved coordination amongst national partners.
8. A multi-cluster assessment mission, including WHO, OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR, traveled on 26 August from Tyre to Aitarou where 300 houses were found to be uninhabitable, 1,200 lightly damaged (according to the municipality) with extensive damage to the water network and no electrical power supply. Israeli Defense Forces remain on outskirts of the town.
9. A follow-up assessment mission traveled from Tyre to Tebnine, Aita Ech Chaab and Bint J’bail on 26 August and reported that the need for water is a priority. The number of returnees is not large due to the extensive damage to homes and other infrastructure in the area. Returnees whose homes have been destroyed are staying with neighbors or have returned to rented accommodation or other host families in Tyre, Beirut or neighboring villages.
10. UNHCR and the Department of Safety and Security in Saida are currently conducting a follow-up assessment mission in Marjayun in order to identify the needs for NFI and shelter items.
11. Because of the increasing number of aid providers some areas in the Nabatiyeh region are being doubletargeted with food assistance. For instance, the village of Houla reports having received several food aid shipments, while other villages of the area have not benefited from any food assistance.
12. The Saida-based NGO platform is currently setting up an operations centre to consolidate damage assessments in Southern Lebanon and prepare and implement joint relief projects. OCHA/Saida is facilitating the work of this forum by providing information (3W).
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