– These are dramatic hours for a population that has lived for a long time with war and conflict, and now lives with the threat of war and uncertainty all the time, Johansen told NTB.
Norwegian People’s Aid has around 100 employees in Lebanon, where many work in demining in the south of the country, and the head office is in Beirut.
– These are hardy people, but they are worried about themselves and their families. There is a lot of uncertainty for an entire society, and many can report that they are anxious and afraid, says Johansen.
Followed up
He says that many of the employees are Lebanese, and that they themselves like to know best what is safest for them, but says that they are closely monitored by Norwegian People’s Aid’s country director in Beirut.
– Even if they are used to this, it is a tough situation, says Johansen.
Israel has carried out widespread attacks against southern Lebanon on Monday, and at least 182 people have been killed and more than 700 injured, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. Women and children are among those killed, according to the authorities.
The attacks were aimed at a number of villages in southern Lebanon, as well as in the Bekaa valley in the east.
The work is put back
Norwegian People’s Aid has worked for many years to clear mines in Lebanon, but this work has been stopped for the time being.
– What is happening now is that new bombs and explosives are coming, which means that the work will be set back many years, says Johansen.
He says that many people living in Lebanon are terrified of an escalation of the conflict, and that there are many low-flying fighter planes around Beirut and bomb explosions in the south.
– Last week’s blasting of pagers and walkie-talkies is helping to spread tremendous fear, in addition to the humanitarian consequences for everyone who was injured, he says.
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2024-09-24 14:22:20
