Lebanon: As the crisis intensifies, WHO calls for more support for civilians

United Nations United Nations vehicles passing through southern Lebanon

Abubakar described how UN agencies are supporting Lebanon's Ministry of Health, including this week's explosion of electronic equipment.

Hundreds of pagers across Lebanon exploded simultaneously on Tuesday, as did walkie-talkies and even some solar panels the next day. The attacks reportedly targeted members of Allah armed groups, but also resulted in the deaths of civilians, including children.

The region is "on the verge of collapse"

UN Secretary-General's spokesman Dujarric called on all parties to the conflict to exercise "maximum restraint" at a regular briefing at headquarters in New York.

"We are very concerned about the escalation of the situation on both sides of the Blue Line, including the deadly attack we saw in Beirut today," he said. We also urge the parties to immediately resume the cessation of hostilities...... The region is on the brink of disaster. ”

An unprecedented crisis

Abubakar told UN News that as of Thursday evening, Lebanon's health ministry had recorded 37 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries.

Given the volatile situation in the region, WHO has been assisting hospitals in Lebanon to prepare for mass casualty events, he said.

He described the past few days as "unprecedented" for Lebanon and the health system, with nearly 3,000 wounded being rushed to hospitals between 3:30 and 4:00 on 17 September, when hospitals were practically not prepared enough to handle so many cases at the same time.

Support and supplies

Abubakar said that after the explosion, WHO supported the Lebanon Ministry of Health "to properly coordinate with hospitals so that there is at least an appropriate referral system".

"We work with emergency operating rooms to ensure that there is proper coordination within the hospital and that patients can be referred from one hospital to another," he said. ”

In addition to providing the Lebanon Red Cross with appropriate supplies and testing kits for blood transfusions, the medical team also distributed supplies needed by hospitals to process cases.

WHO has also provided other support, including mental health services for health workers, patients and families, and the continuation of essential health services.

Crises ensued

Abubakar said Lebanon's health system has been severely affected in recent years and that the crisis is the latest challenge facing Lebanon.

First, he said, the coronavirus pandemic followed by the devastating explosion at the port of the capital, Beirut, in August 2020, which killed more than 200 people.

He added that Lebanon is also in the midst of financial turmoil and has been affected by the Gaza war that broke out after the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October.

"Prior to the recent events of 17 September, the clashes had left nearly 2,700 people injured and about 550 killed," he noted. ”

WHO is also scaling up its operations in southern Lebanon, with partner-run mobile clinics providing immunization services, primary health care and nutrition support to people displaced by the fighting.

Prepare for mass casualty events

Abubakar said that WHO and the Lebanon Ministry of Health have invested heavily in the preparation of hospitals and health facilities.