AAI in Lebanon
Australian Aid International assessment team arrived in Beirut, on 27 August, 2006, to collocate with the United Nations headquarters. The objective; to gain further insight into health requirements of the Lebanese people following the recent war and to identify key areas where Australian Aid International can be of best assistance. Whilst remaining a declared emergency, the aid effort has gained momentum as confidence grows from the ceasefire remaining in place for 15 days. The effort now transcends into a Relief and Recovery Phase. The task at hand now will be to ensure that the community at all levels both urban and rural have access to quality health care, clean water and sanitation, adequate food and nutrition, and warm shelter before the coming winter approaches. The destruction in southern Beirut
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Locally in Beirut, the assessment team walked through the bombed areas, consulting with community leaders where it quickly became apparent that although homes and lives have been destroyed, Government and other organizations are meeting the urgent requirements of the affected people.
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In the heavily affected areas in the South of Lebanon, WHO has launched a disease early warning and response system to report and act on any potential disease outbreaks. Lebanon enjoyed a 90% immunization rate prior to the conflict. Subsequent vaccinations were conducted by WHO and UNICEF in collaboration with Ministry of Health immediately at the cessation of hostilities, creating a solid barrier to communicable diseases. WHO reports that water quality and quantity is sufficient for the needs of Southern Lebanese communities, however the lack of power due to destroyed power stations in south greatly inhibits the ability to pump well water into roof top tanks. With 255,986 internally displaced persons (IDPs) being accommodated with host families and in schools there is a pressing need for a more sustainable housing solution in the interim period of rebuilding. The loss of infrastructure has seen a massive increase in the unemployment rate to as high as 75% in the affected area's. AAI is investigating reports form local contacts of areas in Lebanon 's mountainous south east that have not received the attention of the aid flowing into the south. The destruction in southern Beirut
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No official census has been taken since 1932, The population is estimated to be 3.8 million in 2006. It is estimated that about 35% are Christians, 35% are Shia Muslims, 25% are Sunni Muslims. |
OVERVIEWGEOGRAPHYLebanon is a small, largely mountainous country in the Middle East, located at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south, with a narrow coastline along its western edge. |
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SITUATIONAmidst a rare period of calm throughout much of the country, Lebanon was once again thrown into instability with Hezbollah kidnapping two Israeli soldiers on 12 August 2006 which saw an overwhelming and deadly response from Israel. The conflict lasted 34 Days. As of August 28, the Government of Lebanon's Higher Relief Council (HRC) reports that 1,187 Lebanese have been killed and approximately 4,067 injured. More than 980,000 Lebanese fled their homes at the height of emergency, but the HRC estimates that 718,198 displaced persons have returned to their home areas since August 14. According to the HRC, most of the remaining 255,986 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are staying with host families. The destruction in southern Beirut
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