The Finnish Government pledges 1.5 million euros in emergency relief to Lebanon, to be channelled via the UN and the Red Cross

Press release 260/2006
25 July, 2006

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided that the Government’s pledge of 1.5 million euros in emergency relief, made last Friday to help alleviate the crisis in Lebanon, will be channelled via the UNHCR (the United Nations Refugee Agency), Unicef (the United Nations Children’s Fund) and the ICRC (the International Committee of the Red Cross). The sum of 500,000 euros was granted for each of these three organisations.

By pledging this aid, Finland responds to the general appeal of the United Nations’ bodies for a total sum of USD 150 million in emergency relief. The purpose of humanitarian efforts is to help 800,000 people suffering as a consequence of military action during the coming three-month period. Earlier this year Finland granted a total of 4.1 million euros in emergency relief to the Palestinian Territories.

The conflict now into its second week makes the humanitarian situation in Lebanon increasingly difficult. It is especially hard to reach southern Lebanon, in particular, because of the severe damage to bridges and roads. This makes it a great challenge to get assistance to its destination. There are an estimated 700,000 refugees within the country; Unicef reports that many of them are children. Some 150,000 people are thought to have fled to Syria.

Lebanon’s fuel stores have suffered enormous damage and exhaustion of the oil supply for electricity generators may make the situation even more critical.

Through relief efforts the UN strives to secure vital services, such as the availability of water, the distribution of food aid, the provision of health care and logistics. Support measures will also be targeted at general services, such as telecommunications.

Additional information: Counsellor Timo Karmakallio, Unit for Humanitarian Assistance, tel. +358 9 1605 6342