INS 19/7 - ILO support for the emergency response to the crisis in Lebanon. Delivered at 352nd International Labour Organization Governing Body.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank the Office for this report and for the Emergency Response Plan that it sets out. Since the conflict began, almost 3,000 people have been killed, and over 1.2 million people have been internally displaced; over 400,000 of these are children. Over 4,000 residential buildings have been destroyed. Eight hospitals, almost 100 primary healthcare facilities and hundreds more schools have closed.
My Foreign Secretary has been clear in his call for an immediate ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. A political solution consistent with UN Security Council resolution 1701 is the way to re-establish security and stability for the people living on either side of the Blue Line.
As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, the need for support from our international partners, including the ILO, continues to rise. Mass displacement, overcrowded shelters, strained services and an already fragile economy are placing huge pressures on workers, employers and their families right across Lebanon.
Civilians and Infrastructure must be protected. Services must be supported; this includes ensuring healthcare, education, access to water and working electricity. We need safe humanitarian access and an effective Humanitarian Notification System. And we need to scale up our response. The UK has increased its humanitarian contribution to Lebanon to over £15m and is providing a further £10m of support 'aid match' to the UK's Disaster Emergency Committee appeal. This will help strengthen healthcare, improve protection and provide cash to help people meet basic needs.
The UK and the ILO have been working together in Lebanon for some time. As noted in the report, it has been possible to move quickly on social protection because of previous investments to strengthen the capacity of the National Social Protection System. I am proud of the UK's work on this, working with the ILO to provide technical assistance to strengthen the government's National Disability Allowance Programme. I am pleased to see the ILO build on these successes to deliver a response firmly in partnership with the government of Lebanon.
The second pillar, enhancing living conditions for displaced families, is equally critical. The UK urges all parties to ensure that the response to crisis in Lebanon is inclusive. As the weather gets colder it will be more crucial than ever to ensure people, especially vulnerable people and refugees, are able to access safe shelter.
The final two pillars, supporting social partner organisations and sustaining jobs and livelihoods will be vital to supporting people and businesses, and are essential to preparing for recovery. Work to identify opportunities to sustain and enhance food production will provide critical resilience for the agriculture sector.
In conclusion, I commend the work of the ILO and its staff to move so quickly, despite the challenging personal and operational circumstances, to adapt its programming to support the humanitarian response in Lebanon. The UK supports this plan and will continue to explore opportunities to support the ILO to implement it.
The UK supports the decision with the amendments as tabled by Oman on behalf of the Arab Group.
