Lebanon Crisis

Key civilian infrastructure such as power plants, seaports, airport and fuel depots have been damaged during the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.  This could pose acute environmental pollution risks to the local population as well as to relief workers, and add significantly to the already existing major humanitarian burden of the Lebanon crisis.

Oil from a stricken power plant at Jiyeh reaches the shores of Lebanon.  Photo: Christian Henderson/IRIN

There is also an oil spill of an estimated quantity of 10,000 – 15,000 tons of medium/heavy fuel oil which has contaminated 150 km north of the source of pollution (Jiyeh). 

The Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (Joint Environment Unit) is the United Nations mechanism to mobilize and coordinate the international response to environmental emergencies and natural disasters with major environmental impacts. In situations such as the current crisis, the Joint Environment Unit’s focus is to identify those acute environmental issues posing the greatest potential impact to human life and welfare, and provide practical technical support and solutions to mitigate them.

Updates from the Joint UNEP OCHA Environment Unit