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Lebanon Prepares Health, Social Plan Amid War Risks

A Lebanese inspects homes destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese inspects homes destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon (AFP)
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Lebanon Prepares Health, Social Plan Amid War Risks

A Lebanese inspects homes destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese inspects homes destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon (AFP)

Lebanese political and diplomatic efforts to calm tensions between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon have not eased fears of a potential all-out war. This has led Lebanese ministries to prepare for the worst.

Firas Abyad, the Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, stated that his ministry has activated a war emergency plan and increased readiness among medical teams.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has also developed strategies to mitigate the impact and respond if a conflict erupts.

“We have a four-month supply of medicines. We’ve strengthened our energy sources like fuel, electricity, and the internet. We’ve also trained our staff for wartime conditions and expect hundreds of thousands to be displaced internally,” said Abyad a few days ago.

A source from the Ministry of Health explained that proactive measures taken in anticipation of potential conflict aim to avoid unexpected situations like those experienced in 2006.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat under the condition of anonymity, the source mentioned that Abyad has been actively involved in refining contingency plans.

“The minister has been actively involved in refining this preparedness plan for months, regularly updating it. We’re also coordinating with international bodies for assistance, which has been positively received,” revealed the source.

The source emphasized that while emergency plans aren’t based on specific war warnings, it’s crucial for the ministry, along with other government bodies, to remain prepared for any unforeseen events.

The source affirmed that the ministry is readying government hospitals, particularly emergency and operating rooms, and coordinating closely with private hospitals.

The ministry is also identifying suitable spots for field hospitals to handle emergencies, providing quick aid to the injured. Additionally, it’s preparing ambulance teams to be available 24/7.

Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Kheir, the head of Lebanon’s Higher Relief Commission, assured Asharq Al-Awsat that HRC is fully prepared to handle any developments.

He emphasized their focus on providing food, bedding, and supplies to displaced people, particularly those currently fleeing from the south.

Al-Kheir mentioned that the commission operates within its modest annual budget and receives additional aid, including medicines for the Ministry of Health and government hospitals.

For security reasons, he declined to reveal the locations of new shelters or aid storage centers to prevent them from being targeted.

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Arab World

Embassies Warn their Nationals against Travel to Lebanon over Security Escalation

US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson speaks on the occasion of the 248th anniversary of US Independence. (US Embassy)
US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson speaks on the occasion of the 248th anniversary of US Independence. (US Embassy)
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Embassies Warn their Nationals against Travel to Lebanon over Security Escalation

US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson speaks on the occasion of the 248th anniversary of US Independence. (US Embassy)
US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson speaks on the occasion of the 248th anniversary of US Independence. (US Embassy)

Several embassies in Beirut, including the embassy of the United States, renewed their warning to their citizens not to travel to Lebanon, as Israeli threats are escalating.

On Thursday, France expressed its “deep concern” about the seriousness of the situation in Lebanon, pointing to a dramatic escalation of violence on the border with Israel, and calling on “all parties to exercise the greatest degree of restraint.”

Assistant French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said that France, which requests the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, remains “fully committed to preventing any risk of escalation on the Blue Line and reaching a diplomatic solution.”

This comes at a time when local and international efforts continue to prevent the expansion of the war in southern Lebanon. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati received a telephone call from Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, during which he discussed the situation in the South and the region, and international efforts aimed at stopping Israeli attacks.

Mikati also chaired a ministerial meeting to review the government’s efforts to support the residents of the South, due to the ongoing Israeli aggression, and propose additional steps to cope with any emergency.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in the caretaker government, Abdallah Bou Habib, held discussions in Brussels with European Union officials, as part of a tour that comes as part of Lebanon’s efforts to reduce the escalation.

Bou Habib also met, at the European Union headquarters, with the ambassadors from the 27 EU countries in the Political and Security Committee, and discussed the current situation in Lebanon and the region and means to support the army.

On Thursday, the US Embassy renewed its call to its citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon, reminding them that the Lebanese government “cannot guarantee the protection of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict.”

In remarks on Independence Day, US Ambassador Lisa Johnson said: “This is also a critical moment in the wider region. Conflict has gone on long enough. From President (Joe) Biden to every staff member of this embassy, we are focused on preventing further escalation and finding a diplomatic solution that ends the suffering on both sides of the border.”

She continued: “We need to resolve these conflicts, both in Gaza and on the Blue Line – quickly and with diplomacy. As Amos Hochstein said in Beirut just last week. This is both urgent and it is achievable.”

After information indicated that Russia, in turn, renewed its warning to its citizens against traveling to Beirut, the Russian ambassador was quoted as stressing that his country had not issued a new statement in this regard, but added that the notice, which was previously issued in October, was still in effect.

This comes after the Netherlands and Germany called on their citizens on Wednesday to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, due to the risk of escalation at the southern border.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced at the conclusion of a visit to Washington earlier this week that Israel “does not want war” in Lebanon, but it could return it to the “stone age” if diplomatic efforts fail.