It is time for urgent action on the Lebanese health crisis.

摘要

Rarely has a humanitarian crisis been so deliberately and ruthlessly exploited at the expense of civilian populations by warring parties. Forces in Lebanon and Israel are pressing narrow and utterly unrealistic claims, while the international community struggles to act. Israel is never going to defeat by force Hizbollah, a political group now firmly entrenched in Lebanese society. And Hizbollah, even with the support of Iran, will never succeed in destroying Israel. Yet these are the stated aims of both parties. Their mutually cruel and desperate attacks not only harm the lives of unprotected men, women, and children, but also ensure the survival of undiluted enmity for several generations to come.Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, has said of the situation: "Providing aid and saving lives in Lebanon requires these basics: access to those in need, security for those providing it and adequate funding." Political gridlock means that little has been done to provide these basic life-saving initiatives.A large section of the southern Lebanese civilian population is currently living in crisis. At least 900000 people out of a population of 4 million have been displaced, their homes already reduced to rubble. The majority have fled north, some finding shelter with family members and friends, but hundreds of thousands of others have sought refuge in public spaces, in schools, and underground car parks. Those remaining are the needy-the old, the sick, the injured, and the poor-without humanitarian assistance.