Security Council expresses concern over continuing situation in Lebanon.

Security Council expresses concern over continuing situation in Lebanon

ON 13 February, Council members,"mindful of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon', expressed profound concern at the continued escalation of violence in certain parts of Lebanon, affecting the civilian population, particularly in and around Palestinian camps. They stated they were "deeply alarmed by the tragic suffering undergone by the civilian population, particularly inside the Palestinian refugee camps' and called on parties concerned to observe an immediate cease-fire and permit access to those camps for humanitarian purposes.

On 19 March, Council membersnoted with profound concern that, in spite of their previous statements, the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon had not been receiving necessary humanitarian assistance, and that the situation in those camps remained "critical'.

In both statements, Council membersurged all parties concerned to urgently facilitate the efforts of various United Nations agencies, particularly the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), to provide "critically needed humanitarian assistance'. They also reiterated their call for a speedy end to violence in and around the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and a return to a durable peace and a situation of normalcy and for the safeguarding of civilian lives in Lebanon.

Attempts by UNRWA to get foodand medical supplies to those camps had been blocked in January and February because of continued hostilities. By the beginning of April, UNRWA had been able to enter Burj El-Barajneh three times and Shatila twice.

The UNRWA office in Vienna on2 April reported that, despite successful convoys into Shatila and Burj El-Barajneh, conditions for thousands of civilians living in the camps continued to deteriorate. Meanwhile, UNRWA officials continued to hold negotiations for a cease-fire that would allow the safe passage of UNRWA convoys and staff into the camps in Beirut.

As of 2 April, almost $12.5 millionhad been pledged or received from Governments and voluntary agencies for UNRWA's Lebanon emergency fund. The Agency on 26 February appealed for $20.6 million to supply emergency help, restore regular UNRWA education, health and relief services and repair schools, clinics and refugee dwellings.

UNRWA Commissioner-GeneralGiorgio Giacomelli ended his three-day visit to Lebanon in January, appealing for aid for all victims of the situation in the country.

On 4 February World Food Programmeofficials in Rome announced that some 60,000 needy and displaced Lebanese, of whom 15,000 had found shelter in the greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon areas, would now be receiving additional assistance through the ongoing emergency operation of WFP in Lebanon.

Photo: The Security Council has expressed profound concern over continued suffering within Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon and called on parties concerned to permit access to them for humanitarian purposes.