OCHA Press Conference Lebanon
/
32:09
/
MP4
/
2.3 GB

Edited News , Press Conferences | OCHA , UNITED NATIONS

OCHA Press Conference Lebanon

Lebanon not spared global food and fuel crisis made worse by Ukraine war: UN senior aid official

Veteran UN aid coordinator Najat Rochdi on Friday signalled grave concerns about rising humanitarian needs across Lebanon linked to the global food insecurity crisis, which is affecting “everyone, everywhere”.

Since last year, the number of people in urgent need of support has risen by 46 per cent, said the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, speaking in Geneva.

“Lebanon’s crisis is affecting everyone, everywhere across the country, with women bearing the brunt of the profound impact of this multi-layered crisis…2.2 million vulnerable Lebanese, 86,000 migrants and 200,000 Palestine refugees in Lebanon currently require emergency aid; in addition to 1.5 million Syrian refugees that are unable to afford or even access health, food, electricity, water, education and waste-water management, not to mention lifesaving protection services.”

Asked specifically about the fallout on global food and fuel insecurity in already struggling Lebanon from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Ms. Rochdi told journalists that the country was “no exception”, after suffering a spike in fuel prices, greater food insecurity and difficulties importing food.

Even hospitals had been affected, faced with an “acute shortage in medical supplies and power shortages, at a time when over 40 per cent of Lebanon’s doctors and 30 per cent of nurses have left country, since the beginning of the economic meltdown”, she added.

Unemployment – and in particular growing youth unemployment – has forced many of the country’s youngest and brightest jobseekers to leave Lebanon, she noted, with almost one-third of the population out of work now, compared with 11.4 per cent before COVID-19.

Women are also facing an alarming rise in sexual exploitation, in inverse proportion to the country’s “economic meltdown”, the UN official said, pointing to widespread reports of women and children “feeling unsafe in public spaces, such as streets, markets or when using public transport”.

To help meet these and many other challenges, Ms. Rochdi issued a revised humanitarian appeal for $546 million for more than one million Lebanese, refugees and migrants.

Highlighting how the UN and its partners have taken action to help, she noted that emergency fuel supplies had been distributed to more than 600 health facilities and water pumping stations “to ensure the provision of lifesaving services to the most vulnerable populations affected by this ongoing energy crisis and maintain the provision of basic services across Lebanon”.

ends

STORY: Lebanon Humanitarian Update – OCHA

TRT: 2 mins 52s

SOURCE: UNTV CH

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

LANGUAGE: FRENCH/ENGLISH/NATS

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

DATELINE: 1 July 2022, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

SHOTLIST

  1. Wide shot, UN Geneva flag alley.
  2. Wide shot, Press room, UN Geneva.
  3. SOUNDBITE (FRENCH): Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon: “L’impact de la guerre en Ukraine sur le Liban est le même qu’ailleurs, il faut le dire, l’impact de la guerre en Ukraine sur les pays, c’est bien évidemment les prix, comme vous l’avez si bien dit, du fioul, etcetera, c’est aussi un impact par rapport à la sécurité alimentaire, c’est aussi un impact par rapport à l’approvisionnement; donc le Liban n’est pas une exception.”
  4. Mid shot, TV camera operators.
  5. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon: “Lebanon’s crisis is affecting everyone, everywhere across the country, with women bearing the brunt of the profound impact of this multi-layered crisis.”
  6. Mid shot, journalists, participants typing on laptops.
  7. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon: “2.2 million vulnerable Lebanese, 86,000 migrants and 200,000 Palestine refugees in Lebanon currently require emergency aid; in addition to 1.5 million Syrian refugees that are unable to afford or even access health, food, electricity, water, education and waste water management, not to mention lifesaving protection services.”
  8. Close-up, pen in hand, notes being written on notepad.
  9. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon: “Hospitals suffer from an acute shortage in medical supplies and power shortages, at a time when over 40 per cent of Lebanon’s doctors and 30 per cent of nurses have left country, since the beginning of the economic meltdown”
  10. Close-up, microphones in foreground, blurred, Najat Rochdi in focus, side shot.
  11. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon: “Alarmingly, gender exploitation and sexual exploitation and abuse are on the rise. We have received widespread reports of women and children feeling unsafe in public spaces, such as streets, markets or when using public transport.”
  12. Close-up, hands typing on laptop keyboards.
  13. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon: “Through the emergency fuel provision, we have been able to support over 600 health facilities and water pumping stations to ensure the provision of lifesaving services to the most vulnerable populations affected by this ongoing energy crisis and maintain the provision of basic services across Lebanon.”
  14. Medium shot, participants typing on laptops, podium speakers to rear.
  15. Close-up, TV viewfinder showing Ms. Rochdi in frame and to rear.
  16. Medium shot, participant writing on notepad, microphone on desk, TV camera and tripod to rear.

Similar Stories

HRC 60 Press conference: Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic - 02 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC , OHCHR

HRC 60 Press conference: Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic - 02 October 2025 ENG FRA

Report of the Independent Expert on Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic.

 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

2

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire

UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNECE , WHO , OCHA , UNHCR , UNICEF

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (the UN Refugee Agency), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children Fund, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the World Health Organization.

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO ENG FRA

The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 26 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | WHO , FAO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 26 September 2025 ENG FRA

Michele Zaccheo, Chief of the Radio, TV and Webcast Section at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives of the Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Health Organization.

UNCTAD Press conference: Review of Maritime Transport - 24 September 2025

2

1

2

Press Conferences | UNCTAD

UNCTAD Press conference: Review of Maritime Transport - 24 September 2025 ENG FRA

Global maritime transport is facing growing uncertainty, volatility and higher costs while growth in maritime trade is slowing down, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warns in its Review of Maritime Transport 2025, released on 24 September.

 

HRC Press Conference: Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua - 23 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC , OHCHR

HRC Press Conference: Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua - 23 September 2025 ENG FRA

Launch of the latest report by the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua.

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine ENG FRA

A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022. 

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , UNICEF

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF ENG FRA

Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur

Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 23 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | WHO , OHCHR , UNICEF

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 23 September 2025 ENG FRA

Michele Zaccheo, Chief of the Radio, TV and Webcast Section at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

HRC - Press conference: Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela - 22 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC

HRC - Press conference: Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela - 22 September 2025 ENG FRA

Launch of FFM Venezuela’s latest report to the Human Rights Council