MSF Update in Lebanon

Distributed Essential Drugs and blankets to IDPs

MSF has been in Saida, Lebanon since this past weekend. The five hospitals in that city do not appear to be overcrowded but they need medications for chronic diseases. The local authorities report 42,000 displaced people (IDPs). MSF plans to provide medical assistance through mobile clinics and medications.

In Tyre, the initial population of 100,000 went down to 40,000. Added to that are 20,000 IDPs. Food appears to be the main need. MSF visited five hospitals, of which two in Ar Rashidiye, south of Tyre city. Medical and surgical equipment is needed and an MSF surgeon with a vascular surgery specialisation has started to work in the Palestinian Red Crescent hospital of Ar Rashidiye.

On Sunday, 25 wounded patients arrived in the space of 30 minutes in Najem hospital in Tyre. People there expect a deterioration of the situation.

There are more than 100,000 IDPs in the Shouf region south east of Beirut. Half of them have been registered, and some of them are in a precarious situation. MSF is working in Alaay and Beit Ed Dine districts, where there is a lack of drinking water and food is being provided by the community. The IDPs do not have any means of their own. The medical situation is taken properly in charge by Lebanese teams. MSF plans to do a large-scale distribution of 80 tonnes of non-food items (NFIs): 2,000 tents, 2,000 cooking sets, 2,000 hygiene kits and 2,000 blankets. These materials arrived by ferry to Beirut, together with medical equipment. MSF has also distributed essential drugs to 1,000 to 1,200 IDPs in Aley.

In Beirut there are 49,000 IDPs living in 200 to 300 schools. MSF is helping local organisations to set up two or three mobile clinics. MSF was also visiting the city of Tripoli where no immediate needs were found. In Beirut, the teams have been purchasing relief goods to add to the materials that are arriving from overseas.

In Jezzine, approximately 40km south-east of Beirut, MSF has delivered a one month supply of drugs and emergency medical materials to the local hospital. About 4,500 IDPs from the south arrived in Jezinne, adding to city's normal population of 20,000. Most of the IDPs are staying in private homes; 600 of them have sought shelter in schools. MSF has distributed mattresses, blankets and baby formula to these IDPs. The MSF team in Jezinne is a doctor, a logistician and a coordinator.

In Syria, MSF is looking into the situation of refugees, including along the border where there may be transit camps.

More MSF international staff and supplies are expected to arrive in Syria and Lebanon in the coming days.