Lebanon: Key protection needs remain among conflict-affected communities, despite cessation in hostilities 30 August 2006 Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese displaced by Israeli military operations and fight- ing between Israel and Hezbollah returned to their homes following the entry into force of a ceasefire on 14 August 2006. The ceasefire was agreed with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (11 August), which calls upon the Lebanese government and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to deploy troops to south Lebanon. The resolution also notes that “all parties are responsible for ensuring that no action is taken … that might adversely affect… humanitarian access to civilian populations, including safe passage for humanitarian convoys, or the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons…” Within hours of the ceasefire, tens of thousands of displaced people began to move southwards to their homes, mainly to the southern districts of Beirut and south Leba- non, as well as the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon. At the height of the conflict up to 1 million people fled their homes; approximately 735,000 were internally displaced while some 230,000 fled to neighbouring countries. In addition, some 16,000 Pales- tinian refugees were secondarily displaced. According to the government of Leba- non’s Higher Relief Council, more than 700,000 displaced people and refugees have returned to their homes (HRC, 23 August 2006). UNHCR estimates suggest that fewer people have returned. UNHCR notes that 550,000 displaced have returned to their pre-conflict residences (UNHCR, 24 August 2006). According to government figures, approximately 256,000 people remain internally displaced; most are living with host families (HRC, 24 August 2006). Preliminary as- sessments suggest that the main reasons why people have not returned include prop- erty damage and unexploded bombs (OCHA, 24 August 2006). In Chouf and Aley, where UNHCR has conducted assessments among an estimated 6,000 displaced peo- ple, many said they would not return home as their houses are destroyed and they be- lieve the political situation is not secure (UNHCR, 24 August 2006). Residents of the Bekaa Valley who have been interviewed also expressed little confidence that the ceasefire will hold, according to OCHA (OCHA, 28 August 2006). In south Lebanon, few people have returned to villages along the blue line, the border demarcation be- tween Lebanon and Israel, as well as to villages that have suffered widespread de- struction. These include Deir Mimess, Srifa, Ghanduriyah, Tebnine, Aita Ech Chaab and Bint J'bail (OCHA, 28 August 2006). The most immediate needs in south Lebanon include shelter and the restoration of wa- ter and electricity supplies. Israeli military operations strategically targeted infrastruc- ture in south Lebanon, especially bridges and roads, gas stations and water pumps. As a result, most of the southern region suffers from lack of water supply and power. As- sessments by local authorities in some villages in Bint Jbeil and Marjeyoun districts found 50-90 per cent of government and public buildings have been destroyed (OCHA, 23 August 2006). Up to 350 schools in south Lebanon have been damaged or completely destroyed, according to UNICEF (AFP, 25 August 2006). In the Bekaa Valley, the villages of Britel, Nabi Chit and Mshgara are the most badly hit. Around 2,000 families are living without water as the water supply network was destroyed during the bombing of the Bekaa area (OCHA, 28 August 2006). Thousands of displaced people have lost their homes in south Lebanon and will need adequate shelter and assistance before winter. The Lebanese government and local NGOs estimate that 15,000 homes were destroyed and some 40,000 others have been badly damaged as a result of Israeli military operations. In the Bekaa valley, more than 300 houses have been totally demolished and more than 470 houses destroyed (OCHA, 28 August 2006). Many families have returned to their homes to find them demolished. Other families are living in parts of damaged houses, while many are liv- ing with family or friends. Displaced people have relied heavily on community and family networks; however there is the concern that these networks will be exhausted. In many areas that have been assessed by the UN and NGOs, people have received financial assistance to pay rent from Hezbollah or expect to receive such assistance. Unexploded ordnance and mines pose one of the most immediate risks to displaced, returnee and host communities. Unexploded bombs are widely reported across the south in populated areas and in fields and farmland areas. The UN Mine Action Coor- dination Centre reports that 359 cluster bomb strike locations have been recorded (OCHA, 28 August 2006). Unexploded ordinance have been found in people’s homes and gardens (OCHA, 24 August 2006). Unexploded bombs also prevent people from harvesting crops thereby cutting them off from their livelihoods. In addition, the Israeli-Lebanese border area remains tense and occasional cease-fire violations have been reported, including an Israeli-led raid in the Bekaa valley on 19 August. Israel still has several thousand soldiers deployed in southern Lebanon. In some cases the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has been reported to prevent people from returning to their areas of origin. The Lebanese news reported that people were pre- vented by the IDF from returning to Aitaroun, a town in South Lebanon, because it was being used as an Israeli military zone. OCHA reported that a group of 150 IDPs returned to Saida on 23 August after an unsuccessful attempt to return to the village of Mar Rwaheen. Some of the displaced people who were interviewed said they had been shot at by the IDF (OCHA, 24 August 2006). There are reports of secondary displacements, and in some reception centres the num- bers of people have doubled in the last few days. According to OCHA, small numbers of displaced people who had left schools and reception centres are returning to the Saida area and occupying schools and other public facilities (OCHA, 24 August 2006). Many are returning to a situation of secondary displacement because of the presence of unexploded ordnance in and around their communities, in particular in the villages of Aitaroun, Maroun ar-Ras, Bint Jbeil, Aita as-Shab, Ainata, Yaroun. Note: The Lebanese civil war of 1975–1990 and Israeli invasions in 1978 and 1982 displaced a total of almost one million people. Information about civil war displaced in Lebanon is also available on the Lebanon country page http://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/Lebanon Sources: BBC News, 20 August 2006, Israel's raid in the Bekaa Valley Higher Relief Commission (HRC), 24 August 2006, Situation Report No. 30 Higher Relief Commission (HRC), 28 August 2006, Situation Report No. 33 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 24 August 2006, Update United Nations Security Council (UN SC), 11 August 2006, Resolution 1701 (2006) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), 23 August 2006, Situation Report No. 31 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), 24 August 2006, Situation Report No. 32 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), 28 August 2006, Situation Report No. 35 About the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council, is the leading international body monitoring conflict-induced inter- nal displacement worldwide. Through its work, the Centre contributes to improving national and international ca- pacities to protect and assist the millions of people around the globe who have been displaced within their own country as a result of conflicts or human rights violations. At the request of the United Nations, the Geneva-based Centre runs an online data- base providing comprehensive information and analysis on internal displacement in some 50 countries. Based on its monitoring and data collection activities, the Centre advocates for dura- ble solutions to the plight of the internally displaced in line with international stan- dards. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre also carries out training activities to enhance the capacity of local actors to respond to the needs of internally displaced people. In its work, the Centre cooperates with and provides support to local and na- tional civil society initiatives. For more information, visit the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre website and the database at www.internal-displacement.org. Media contact: Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer Head of Monitoring and Advocacy Department Tel.: +41 (0)22 799 07 03 Email: [email protected] Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre Norwegian Refugee Council Chemin de Balexert 7-9 1219 Geneva, Switzerland www.internal-displacement.org Tel: +41 22 799 0700 Fax: +41 22 799 0701 .