Red Cross launches 'emergency appeal' for $92M to address humanitarian situation in Lebanon

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Tuesday launched an emergency appeal for 80 million Swiss Francs (approximately $92.6 million) to address the immense humanitarian impact of hostilities in Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli attacks.

In a statement, the IFRC said the appeal aims to provide immediate and long-term relief to around 600,000 people affected by the conflict and to support the critical ambulance services of the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), whose volunteers have been on high alert since October of last year.

"We are seeing a huge need for basic goods to help the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes. Many are now staying with family members or living in temporary shelters, such as schools," IFRC Operations Manager in Beirut Lotte Ruppert said in a statement.

"Going back to their houses is not an option at this moment, as the conflict areas are still very dangerous,” Ruppert added.

She went on to say that they are concerned for the safety of all health workers, including LRC volunteers, especially in southern Lebanon.

IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain visited Beirut to launch the appeal and meet with LRC officials.

"The needs are immense. I urge potential donors to do what they can to help contribute," he said, underlining that humanitarian needs in Lebanon are growing day by day.

Israel has escalated its air campaign in Lebanon since late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.

More than 3,000 people have been killed and nearly 13,500 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.