Marking World Humanitarian Day, Mr. Imran Riza, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, issued a powerful statement reflecting on the immense suffering experienced over the past ten months. Highlighting the severe impact of ongoing conflict, Mr. Riza noted that more than 110,000 people have been internally displaced within Lebanon since October of last year, while nearly 150,000 remain in areas affected daily by shelling and airstrikes.
Mr. Riza expressed grave concern over the increasing risks faced by civilians and humanitarian workers alike, emphasizing that last year was the deadliest on record for humanitarian personnel, with 280 killed globally, including 21 paramedics in Lebanon. He condemned the blatant disregard for International Humanitarian Law, stressing that even in times of war, civilians should not be targets.
Despite the dire circumstances, Mr. Riza praised the courage and dedication of humanitarian workers in Lebanon, particularly local Lebanese staff, who have reached over
200,000 people in need with limited resources and under constant threat. He called on world leaders to exert pressure on conflicting parties to protect both civilians and humanitarian workers and to ensure accountability for those responsible for violations.
Source: National news agency – Lebanon