Lebanon - response to explosion in Beirut - UNICEF 2020

August 2020 - In response to new and exacerbated humanitarian needs in Lebanon following the August 4 2020 explosions at the Port of Beirut the United Nations launched a flash appeal to respond to the needs of 300 000 people in Lebanon affected by the explosions until November 2020. The appeal outlines a coordinated humanitarian response to the most immediate and lifesaving needs including provision of essential health care food water hygiene shelter and protection to people affected by the explosions. With GAC’s support UNICEF is responding to the critical needs of children and families affected by the disaster through a broad spectrum of humanitarian assistance activities. Project activities include: (1) providing water and hygiene items to families in temporary shelters; (2) providing immediate water sanitation and hygiene services to temporary and field hospitals and emergency repair of plumbing systems in damaged hospitals; (3) providing health facilities with personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention and control (IPC) materials vaccine commodities and acute medicine cold chain support health emergency kits obstetric newborn and midwifery kits and nutrition supplies; (4) providing child friendly spaces in affected areas and relocation sites; and (5) providing mental health and psychosocial support services to children and caregivers.

The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained for populations experiencing humanitarian crises.