‘Going to be a struggle’ caring for 1.2 million displaced Lebanese: UN
The Israeli military issued warnings to people living in southern Lebanon saying they must evacuate or risk being killed. About 1.2 million people have fled heavy Israeli bombardment and evacuation orders, and taking care of them has become a major concern.
“It’s impossible to meet the needs of more than a million people who have been suddenly uprooted, displaced and dispossessed without additional resources coming in,” said Matthew Hollingworth of the UN’s World Food Programme.
“This was not a country that was well prepared because of all of the challenges that it’s faced over the past years. So, it’s going to be a struggle.”
EU opens ‘air bridge’ for aid to Lebanon
The European Union says it had launched a “humanitarian air bridge” to fly aid to Lebanon as fighting rages between Israel and Hezbollah. The European Commission said three initial flights were scheduled to carry supplies from Italy and Dubai to the conflict-racked country, with the first arriving in Beirut on Friday.
“The EU stands by the people affected by the crisis in Lebanon,” commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “From blankets to shelter kits and medicines. More will come.”
The EU last week said it was ramping up spending on humanitarian assistance to Lebanon by 30 million euros ($33m) in response to the unfolding violence.
The EU stands by the people affected by the crisis in Lebanon.
Today, we launch a Humanitarian Air Bridge with three flights loaded with in-kind emergency aid.
From blankets to shelter kits and medicines.
More will come. pic.twitter.com/2YsPA8GML0
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 9, 2024
Turkish navy ships bring humanitarian aid to Lebanon, evacuate citizens
Turkish navy ships docked at a port in Beirut as a part of a mission to bring humanitarian aid to Lebanon and evacuate Turkish citizens. Two of the ships, which can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers, carried up to 300 tons of food, tents and blankets, according to a statement from Turkey’s defence ministry.
Rear-Admiral Nihat Baran, commander of the evacuation mission, said the trip was ordered by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “to ensure that our citizens living in Lebanon are transferred to Turkey safely”.
Turkish citizens who have applied to leave Lebanon amid rising tensions, wait to board aTurkish Navy vessel.
