UN humanitarians alarmed at escalating Lebanon violence with hundreds killed

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Tuesday they are alarmed by the escalating violence across the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon, with hundreds of people having been killed.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the world body's acting relief chief, Joyce Msuya, reported she was deeply saddened by the killing of two colleagues from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the hostilities on Monday.

"On behalf of all of us at UNHCR, heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and colleagues," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, adding that the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are relentlessly claiming hundreds of civilian lives.

OCHA said government figures show more than 25,000 people are already in 130 newly opened collective shelter sites.

"The situation is fluid and the UN is working with national authorities and partners to track and register newly displaced people," the humanitarians said.

The office said the displacements are in addition to the more than 110,000 people forced from their homes since October 2023.

"The United Nations and its partners are working closely with the Lebanese government to assess the needs and support the response," OCHA said.

The office said the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported delivering 100 tons of emergency medical supplies to hospitals facing severe shortages and vowed to send more. UNICEF has also prepared to provide food, water and essential supplies such as mattresses and hygiene kits to displaced families.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that it is ready to serve hot meals to 100,000 people in collective shelters daily.

However, OCHA said humanitarian organizations need 170 million U.S. dollars to sustain their efforts to aid the people of Lebanon.

"We call for all parties involved in this conflict to honor their responsibilities to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures and to ensure the safety and security of all UN and humanitarian personnel and assets," the office said.