UN teams in Lebanon destroy more unexploded ordnance as agencies send further aid

More United Nations aid convoys carrying urgent humanitarian supplies left Beirut for the devastated south of the country today, while UN de-mining teams continued their efforts to clear the masses of unexploded ordnance that litter the countryside following the recent fighting.

“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that nine UN convoys left Beirut today and over the weekend, carrying food, water and medical supplies,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York.

“Regarding mine clearance, as of today, more than 1,600 cluster bomb units and 11 other pieces of unexploded ordnance have been destroyed by UN teams.”

Since 23 July, the World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered more than 4,000 tons of food to approximately 547,000 people in Lebanon, Mr. Dujarric said, adding the World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the Lebanese Ministry of Health to disinfect debris and rubble in destroyed buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut to prevent the spread of disease.

Also on the humanitarian front, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has put together a “package of quick-delivery, high-impact initiatives”, including plans for repairing key infrastructure, ahead of an international conference in Stockholm on Thursday called by the Swedish Government to support Lebanon’s recovery effort.

“The livelihoods of a large part of the populace are at risk due to displacement, disruption of transport and other infrastructure, unexploded ordnance, and social problems caused by the conflict; significant environmental damage is being reported,” the UNDP said in a fact sheet.

“In just one month the conflict has significantly set back 15 years of reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the country, according to Government assessments.”

UNDP estimates that its initial package of initiatives will require $46.3 million in funding, but emphasized that this is start-up money only and the eventual total need “will be much greater.” It said the Lebanese Government will present its initial recovery needs at Thursday’s meeting and these will include the UNDP initiatives as well as many other requirements.