Since the end of September, hostilities have escalated along the border between Lebanon and Israel, with intense bombardments and airstrikes across the country. This has forced around 1.6 million people, including approximately 700,000 children, to flee. The Grundfos Foundation is donating DKK 1.5 million to UNICEF’s humanitarian response to help children and families in the war-torn country.
In Lebanon, UNICEF provides emergency medical supplies and equipment to the hospitals where many injured people, including a high number of children, is being treated. In addition, they deliver maternity and midwifery supplies, along with other essential medical supplies, to the already strained healthcare system.
The escalation in hostilities pushed many families to leave their homes from different villages in the south of Lebanon and southern suburbs of Beirut seeking shelters in the public schools and universities. UNICEF team is on the ground providing emergency supplies including mattresses, blankets, water, hygiene and dignity kits.
Pictures taken on Saturday, 28 September 2024 at the Lebanese University in Beirut.
UNICEF further prioritizes to support displaced and conflict-affected children and families with clean drinking water, food, warm blankets, medicines, cash payments as well as child protection.
“Already before the war, the situation in Lebanon was fragile. The recent developments have created humanitarian needs beyond the current capacity to deliver the necessary aid. I am both grateful and proud of the Grundfos Foundation’s donation. This helps maintain the aid and support for the many children and families still caught in the middle of the conflict,” says Susanne Dahl, Executive Director of UNICEF Denmark.
The donation to the emergency response in Lebanon is part of the Grundfos Foundation’s and UNICEF’s partnership, where UNICEF can request support from the foundation within 24 hours for both urgent and ongoing conflicts and crises. This is the third time this year that UNICEF has utilized the fund, with previous support to UNICEF’s efforts in Sudan and Ukraine. In addition, the Grundfos Foundation exclusively donated DKK 5 million to UNICEF’s emergency response in Gaza earlier this spring.
LEBANON -Southern suburbs following Friday 27 September 2024 airstrikes.
On September 29, 2024, people inspect the debris of buildings destroyed by airstrikes on the 27th, which targeted the Haret Hreik neighborhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Photo by Ramzi Haidar.