WHO representative in Lebanon, Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, spoke with Pakinomist from Beirut, saying that Wednesday marked “one of the deadliest single days in the current escalation of violence” in the country.
Within minutes, several strikes hit densely populated areas, including the capital Beirut, in the middle of the working day.
“In just 10 minutes, yesterday afternoon, explosions hit several places, including densely populated civilian areas in the capital Beirut,” he said, describing. scenes of panic as civilians went about their daily lives without warning.
The attacks resulted in a large number of civilian casualties. “The preliminary assessment reports…over 200 deaths and over 1,000 injured. Among them women and childrenDr. Abubakar said, adding that first responders and health workers were also among the dead and injured many victims still trapped under the rubble.
Reflecting on the scale of the attack, he described it as “terrible, very sad, is alarming”, recounting how he witnessed several attacks from his office in Beirut. “I could actually see in my window 10 different attacks in front of me and buildings collapsing.”
Hospitals pushed to the brink
Hospitals across the country have been pushed to the brink.
Emergency departments and trauma services are overwhelmed by the scale of injuries, while shortages of critical supplies are exacerbating the crisis. “The hospitals have actually issued an emergency call” to close the gaps, he said, noting that mass casualty protocols has been activated nationwide.
Unidentified bodies
“Hospitals continue to receive reports of the unidentified bodies and body parts that have been found,” said Dr. Abubakar and highlighted the scale of destruction of the attack.
The pressure on the health system is further intensified by ongoing attack on healthcare. Since the escalation began, dozens of health workers have been killed and many more injured.
“Many of these health workers were themselves displaced because they have been affected by the conflict and many of the health attacks that happened in the last 40 days, killed over 50 health workersand has injured over 150 health workers”, he added.
Limited access
Such attacks not only cost lives, but also limit access to care for those in need. “When you kill health workers and first responders…the bottom line is that you don’t have first responders and ambulances”, Dr. Abubakar warned, highlighting the wider impact on already vulnerable communities.
WHO and its partners are working closely with Lebanon’s Ministry of Health to provide support, including medical supplies, technical assistance and funding. However, the resources are quickly exhausted.
“We have already consumed most of the available stocks in the last 40 days, but more than what happened in the last 24 hours,” he said.
Partners with support from the OCHA-managed Lebanon Humanitarian Fund are providing displaced people with mobility aids in shelters in Northern Lebanon.
Appeal for international support
Efforts to rebuild supplies are also hampered by logistical challenges, including limited inland transport options. “We really have to find different options how we can transport supplies,” he added.
Despite the challenges, the health system continues to function under enormous strain. “We are doing our best to serve the people and save lives. But also the humanitarian aid will depend on the available resources that the humanitarian partners receive,” said Dr. Abubakar.
With a rapidly increasing need, the WHO has issued an urgent appeal for international support.
“We really need urgent resources and funds so that we can continue to help the people who are in need” he said, warning that without additional funding, life-saving operations could be at risk.
