GENEVA – 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 fighters fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, which was under US-Israeli attack, prompting a major Israeli air and ground campaign.
“In the past three months, communities across Lebanon have faced an appalling situation due to the escalation of hostilities,” UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza said.
“The toll on civilians is alarming and worsening by the day.”
The UN said it 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. It had received $185.9 million as of May 31.
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.
