Bringing help and hope: Aid reaches remote village in Lebanon
By Chafic El-Hallal
Life has been a relentless struggle for dozens of families in Halbata, a remote village in Lebanon’s Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, on the border with Syria. Caught in the crossfire of escalating hostilities with Israel since September, the community is struggling to recover amid massive destruction and the challenge of rebuilding lives.
Halbata was cut off from the rest of the country in September, as Israel’s intense air strikes rendered nearby roads perilous. The village remained isolated for weeks, meaning families had no access to vital supplies.
It was only on 2 November that humanitarians finally reached the area with basic assistance and supplies, marking the first lifeline to the community since the hostilities escalated.
“The situation here has been devastating,” said Abbas Saif El-Deen, a Shelter Coordinator delegated by the local community in Halbata. “When this convoy arrived, it felt like a lifeline. The aid workers’ courage and compassion brought us more than supplies – they brought us hope.”
Facilitated by OCHA, the convoy provided aid to 66 families in dire need. World Vision delivered food parcels, hygiene kits and bedding financed by the OCHA-managed Lebanon Humanitarian Fund. Among those assisted were vulnerable community members, including 85 children under age 13 and 20 older people.
#Urgent need to help others
Hostilities ceased on 27 November, but humanitarian needs in Halbata and other affected areas are enormous. Imran Riza, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that “swift, safe and unhindered access to all affected areas is critical.”
Saif El-Deen echoed this plea, urging humanitarian organizations and donors to act swiftly to support struggling families.
Across Lebanon many areas remain inaccessible, including more than 70 towns and villages in South Lebanon and Nabatieh Governorates. Even semi-accessible areas are difficult to reach due to damaged roads and the threat of unexploded ordnance.
Despite these obstacles and the ongoing security challenges and funding shortages, the UN and its humanitarian partners are scaling up efforts, ensuring critical assistance reaches people in need.
In October, the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund allocated US$12 million through its 2024 Emergency Reserve Allocation to address life-saving needs arising from the escalating hostilities. This brings the fund’s total support to $27 million since November 2023.