Mar 22 • 20:22 UTC 🇰🇷 Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

[Interview] 'Within three weeks of war, 1 million Lebanese citizens evacuated, beyond crisis to emergency'

Heidi Francis Diedrich of World Vision Lebanon highlights the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from recent conflicts, with over 1 million Lebanese citizens forced to evacuate their homes.

Heidi Francis Diedrich, the head of World Vision Lebanon, described the extraordinary situation in the country, where more than 1 million citizens have fled their homes due to the conflict that erupted following US-Iran hostilities. The humanitarian crisis has escalated to emergency levels, with significant casualties reported since the onset of attacks by Israel in response to Hezbollah's activities in southern Lebanon. Reports indicate death tolls exceeding 1,000 and injuries surpassing 2,500, which underscores the severity of the situation.

Since the conflict began on the 28th of last month, initiated by US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Lebanon has faced a high rate of casualties, making it one of the hardest-hit nations in the region after Iran. Israeli forces have been conducting extensive bombardments across Lebanon, targeting areas known for housing Hezbollah, which Israel identifies as a key threat. This aggressive military strategy has resulted in direct impacts on civilian life, forcing families to seek refuge in various locations, often multiple times due to the destruction in their neighborhoods.

Diedrich emphasized that the plight of the displaced is dire, with countless families, including a significant number of children, living in tents along Beirut's coastline or in their vehicles, as appropriate shelter remains scarce. Although more than 630 evacuation centers are reported to be operational, many citizens are unable to access the necessary support, particularly in southern Lebanon and the outskirts of Beirut, where humanitarian organizations struggle to reach those in desperate need. As the Israeli airstrikes continue, the urgency for effective humanitarian intervention becomes increasingly critical.

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