UN doubles Lebanon aid appeal as war drives surge in humanitarian needs

By Olivia Le Poidevin

GENEVA, June 5 (Reuters) – The United Nations on Friday said it is doubling the amount of money it says it needs to help Lebanon meet surging humanitarian needs, as the war enters its fourth month.

Lebanon was drawn into the wider regional war in early March when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, which was under U.S.-Israeli attack, prompting a major Israeli air and ground campaign.

Since March 2, more than 3,500 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to Lebanese authorities, whose data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel says 26 of its soldiers and four ​civilians have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since March.

The U.N. on Friday will launch a fresh aid appeal with the Lebanese government to seek an additional $331.5 million to reach 1.4 million people, bringing the total appeal to $639.9 million.

So far it has received $185.9 million as of May 31.

“In the past three months, communities across Lebanon have faced an appalling situation due to the escalation of hostilities,” U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza said, pointing to high casualties, widespread displacement and extensive damage to infrastructure.

“The toll on civilians is alarming and worsening by the day.”

(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin)