- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released its latest Mobility Tracking displacement update showing at least 90,350 people have become newly displaced since 19 September, following the latest military escalation in Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, nearly 600 people have been killed, including 50 children, and approximately 1,700 injured, since Monday.
IOM Director General Amy Pope, speaking from the United Nations General Assembly in New York reiterated a call for diplomacy, peace and de-escalation.
"We are deeply alarmed by the military escalation in Lebanon, which has claimed hundreds of lives, including women and children." DG Pope said. "The welfare of civilians and protection of related infrastructure must be respected, in line with international humanitarian law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 which calls for peace and stability in the region."
IOM is working with government authorities and partners to address immediate humanitarian needs. It is responding with the delivery of assistance, services, and protection to internally displaced persons by supporting local authorities and partners.
The Organization is distributing essential relief items to internally displaced persons and host families, and protection services, including psychosocial support services. In close coordination with the Government of Lebanon, IOM provided 1,350 mattresses, blankets, and pillows in the past 48 hours to individuals sheltering in schools and other buildings that have been converted into shelters for displaced families.
Since October 2023, IOM has delivered lifesaving medicines and supplies to Ministry of Public Health hospitals and health centres across the south, prepositioned vital equipment and more recently, provided logistics support the Ministry's primary warehouse facility.
"Our teams are on the ground, working tirelessly alongside our government counterparts and local partners to deliver vital humanitarian support to those who need it most. We are committed to scaling up our response to meet the growing needs faced by so many across Lebanon" said Mathieu Luciano, IOM's Head of Office in Lebanon.
Prior to the recent displacement across Lebanon, the country was already in the grips of a protracted political and socio-economic crisis, with more than 3.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
In support of the Government of Lebanon, IOM is scaling up its critical humanitarian support to ensure the needs of displaced populations and host communities are met.
