Across southern Lebanon, communities continue to face the effects of conflict, including displacement, damaged infrastructure and disrupted essential services. UNIFIL peacekeepers continue working with local authorities and partners to address practical needs and support relief and recovery efforts, while carrying out their mandated tasks under UN Security Council resolution 1701.
Through its Civil Affairs (CA) team and the work of its military contingents, UNIFIL supports a range of community initiatives, from healthcare and education to water, energy, agriculture and municipal services. These efforts respond to needs identified with local authorities and help communities navigate the challenges of returning home, restoring essential services and rebuilding daily life.
Recent initiatives have included distributing food boxes and hygiene kits through local municipalities, providing medicines and medical supplies to the Lebanese Red Cross in Tyre, supporting solar-energy projects, and providing laptops and other computer equipment to public schools. Peacekeepers have also provided wheelchairs and conducted risk-awareness sessions on mines and unexploded ordnance for students and agricultural workers, particularly as farmers return to their land during the harvest season. Across the mission’s area of operations, peacekeepers have also supported repairs to water networks and roads, helping restore vital infrastructure and improve access.
While these activities take different forms, they share a common purpose: to respond to local priorities, strengthen community resilience, and contribute to a more stable environment in south Lebanon.
“Each project is identified, planned, and implemented together with the relevant local authorities, mainly municipalities and Unions of Municipalities,” said UNIFIL spokesperson, Kandice Ardiel.
Cooperation with humanitarian partners is equally important, particularly in addressing civilian protection concerns and facilitating humanitarian access to hard-to-reach areas. As the situation in south Lebanon continues to evolve, coordination among relevant actors remains essential to addressing humanitarian needs, supporting recovery and restoring essential services.
Community engagement and support complement UNIFIL’s operational tasks under resolution 1701. Peacekeepers continue to monitor and report developments on the ground, liaise with the parties, support the Lebanese Armed Forces and help facilitate humanitarian access. These efforts contribute to stability and support communities as they work to restore their daily life and livelihoods.
UNIFIL continues its operations until the end of its mandate. “We continue all of our operations as usual, and we’ll do so until our mandate ends on 31 December,” said Ardiel. Until then, peacekeepers remain engaged with communities and local partners, responding to practical needs while carrying out their mandated tasks.
