LEBANON, 17 APRIL – In their collective efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19, donations from UNIFIL peacekeepers continued with various medical and personal protective equipment handed to their host communities in south Lebanon.
The peacekeeping mission’s French and Ghanaian peacekeepers as well as UNIFIL Sector East peacekeepers handed out those life-saving items within their respective areas of responsibility.
During a ceremony in Suq al Khan in south-eastern Lebanon, representatives of Hasbaya Caza and Al Arkoub Union of Municipalities received 5,000 surgical masks, 5,000 gloves, 20 full face shields, 18 protective suits and 1,000 protective caps were handed over.
These supplies were funded through the Mission’s quick impact project (QIP), which seeks to address some of the most pressing needs of the population and support local authorities while strengthening links between UNIFIL and local communities.
In the village of Barashit, UNIFIL French peacekeepers handed out 2,000 gloves, eight bottles of gel, three big sanitary spray cans and 500 masks.
Similarly, the Mission’s Ghanaian peacekeepers donated pediatric medications, hand sanitizers, disinfectants and personal protective equipment to Ayta Ash Shaab Social Development Centre and Beit Leif Community Clinic in south-western Lebanon. The Ghanaian support seeks to support these communities in their COVID-19 preventive measures as well as provide essential medication for children during difficult times.
The ongoing UNIFIL support to the local communities is matched by the Mission’s robust precautionary measures in place, since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, in order to prevent the virus spread. UNIFIL supports seek to improve capabilities and enhance efforts to prevent the spread of the highly infectious virus.