Lebanon: Displaced People Face Dual Threats of War and Cholera

UNICEF/Fouad Choufany A woman receives a hygiene kit in Hamoudi, Lebanon

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Thursday that the first case of highly contagious cholera has been confirmed in northern Lebanon, posing a threat to people displaced by Israeli bombings.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus mentioned that a response plan has been activated to strengthen epidemic surveillance, contact tracing, and water source sampling.

Tedros noted that Lebanese health authorities had launched an oral vaccine campaign in August this year, aiming to vaccinate 350,000 people. However, due to the recent escalation of conflicts, especially since the Gaza war broke out last October, confrontations between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have intensified, forcing health operations to be interrupted.

Health Systems Under Enormous Pressure

WHO Representative in Lebanon, Dr. Abdulbasit Omar, expressed concern about the rapid spread of cholera. He pointed out that many displaced people fleeing the southern war have no immunity to cholera. In particular, parts of southern Lebanon and Beirut are at high risk of rapid cholera transmission due to poor drinking water and sanitation conditions.

As the cholera threat intensifies, the United Nations and its partners are facing greater challenges. Recently, eastern Lebanon has been continually hit by airstrikes. On Wednesday, Israel bombed government buildings in the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, killing 16 people, including the town's mayor.

Tedros mentioned that WHO has distributed medical supplies to key hospitals to treat those injured in the Israeli bombings. WHO is also working with the Lebanese Red Cross to ensure a safe blood supply and training surgeons to save lives. He emphasized that the key to resolving the current predicament lies in peace, not aid.

Medical Facilities Frequently Attacked

According to WHO data, since the escalation of hostilities a month ago, 23 attacks on medical facilities have been confirmed in Lebanon, resulting in 72 deaths among medical staff and patients, and 43 injuries. Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 2,200 deaths since October last year.

Tedros added that due to heavy bombardments and insecurity, an increasing number of medical facilities have been forced to close, particularly in southern Lebanon. Hospitals are struggling to maintain essential medical services while treating a large number of wounded, facing unprecedented pressure.

Gaza Vaccination Campaign Faces Resistance

A second round of polio vaccination is currently underway in Gaza, aiming to vaccinate at least 90% of children under 10 in the region. However, due to the escalating violence in northern Gaza, humanitarian operations have been repeatedly obstructed.

Tedros pointed out that out of 54 missions dispatched to northern Gaza in the first half of October, only one was successfully completed, with the rest being canceled, denied, or obstructed.

Ms. Joyce Msuya, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, stated that nearly 400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza over the past week, with approximately 1,500 injured. Since October 2, over 55,000 people have been forced to flee the Jabalia area in northern Gaza. Many remain trapped in their homes with water and food nearly depleted.

Msuya added that from October 2 to 15, no food aid was received in northern Gaza. Although some supplies have entered since then, all basic survival materials have almost run out.