Expressing grave concern, UNFPA: More than half a million women and girls affected by violence in Lebanon

The United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, has expressed grave concern for the safety and well-being of 520,000 women and girls affected by the escalation of conflict in Lebanon since 27 September.

The fund indicated, in a "press alert" on Thursday (October 3), that about 155,000 people were forced to flee their homes; seeking shelter in crowded shelters in about 875 locations inside Lebanon. Many of the displaced left everything behind as they fled in search of safety.

He added: “Among the more than one million people affected by the escalation of violence, according to the Lebanese authorities, there are an estimated 11,600 pregnant women in urgent need of prenatal health care, protection, nutrition, clean water and hygiene services.”

He warned that the escalation of hostilities puts the health of pregnant women at risk, as they are isolated from their communities and from access to caregivers.

He stressed that attacks on health care have killed health workers and closed at least 37 health facilities in Lebanon since 27 September, straining health facilities near displaced populations. This includes nine UNFPA-supported health facilities that were providing medical care and consultations to pregnant women and victims of gender-based violence in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa.

“The increasing violence and displacement of civilians in Lebanon is heartbreaking,” said Laila Baker, UNFPA Regional Director for Arab States. “The disruption of essential life-saving health services for women and girls is deeply worrying and the need for protection is urgent and a matter of life and death, including for UN staff.”

UNFPA urgently calls on all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law to protect all civilians, civilian infrastructure, hospitals, health facilities, medical personnel and patients.

“Civilians – including aid workers and health workers – are not a target, and safe and unfettered access for humanitarian supplies is vital,” he noted, adding: “Obstetric supplies sent by UNFPA to Lebanon are still stuck in customs and must be released immediately.”

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed in its alert that 128,000 people have crossed into Syria since September 27, arriving in the governorates of Rural Damascus, Homs and Tartous. “Rapid needs assessments indicate an urgent need for a full range of emergency assistance, including protection and health services, sanitation, water and food supplies.”

“The health and protection needs of women and girls must be at the heart of the humanitarian response,” he stressed.

The Fund reviewed the humanitarian services it has provided in both Lebanon and Syria, since the outbreak of the conflict between the Israeli occupation and Hezbollah in Lebanon.