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Thursday, 13 December 2007 |
The Lebanon-Israel conflict in 2006 resulted in casualties, extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and massive population displacement from 12th July until a ceasefire took effect on 14th August 2006. With the assistance of local partners in Lebanon, MERCY Malaysia was able to provide medical and humanitarian aid from the start of the conflict and to continue supporting the country after the ceasefire through its recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Concerned with the escalading violence and the lack of assessable route
to Lebanon, MERCY Malaysia deployed its Assessment Team to Damascus,
Syria on 25 July 2006.
Distribution of medical supplies and hygiene kits
In response to the conflict, MERCY Malaysia deployed a team to the Middle East in July 2006. However, as our team was unable to enter Lebanon before the ceasefire, we provided relief and assisted the Lebanese population displaced in Homs and Damascus in Syria while distributing humanitarian aid including medicine, infant formula, baby diapers and hygiene pads at the evacuation centres. MERCY Malaysia worked closely with the Syrian Red Crescent Society as well as the Ministry of Social Welfare.
After the ceasefire on 14th August, we provided personal hygiene kits supplied by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) to returning refugees at the borders of Syria and Lebanon. We continued distributing medical supplies and hygiene items until 21st August.
MERCY Malaysia also gave a contribution of US$20,000 for the procurement of emergency drugs and medical supplies to be distributed to functioning hospitals in and around Beirut, in partnership with the Islamic Medical Association of Lebanon (IMA). Additionally another US$20,000 was allocated to the Palestinian Women's Humanitarian Organisation in Lebanon for the procurement of humanitarian relief items.
Recondtruction of Medical Infrastructure and Equipping Medical Facilities
Following the ceasefire, MERCY Malaysia provided assistance for the repair of three health centres managed by the Islamic Health Society (IHS) in Lebanon, namely Bodai Health Centre, South Health Centre and South Head Office. These centres required minor reconstruction work and repairs.
MERCY Malaysia also funded the purchase of a mobile clinic to provide reproductive health services for women in rural areas. The total cost of procuring a modified bys and medical items for the mobile clinic came up to approximately US$88,000.
Additionally, MERCY Malaysia sponsored the rebuilding of the Operating Theatre at Salah Gandour Hospital in Bin Jabeil, South Lebanon. The rebuilding of this facility included repairing and equipping an operating theatre as well as providing anaesthetic drugs and medication. The total cost of the project is estimated at USD175,000.
Mental Health Support
MERCY Malaysia sponsored five English-speaking Lebanese health professionals from IHS to participate in a six-day training session on Basic and Advanced Psychosocial and Mental Health Intervention in Kuala Lumpur. These trainers are expected to train between 30 to 40 trainers in Arabic when they return to their societies so that a mental health support programme for the communities can be implemented.
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