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Humanitarian crisis in Lebanon

Health system is simply overwhelmed

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Sir, – The constant bombardment of Lebanon is having a deadly impact on its country’s citizens. Over 1,200 people have been killed over the past two weeks and many thousands more severely injured, more than were killed in the devastating 2006 war.

Once the envy of the Arab world, the health infrastructure is struggling to cope with the intense pressure being heaped upon it on an hourly basis. Despite the best efforts of Lebanese caretaker minister for health, Firas Abiad, the system is simply overwhelmed.

Following years of personal experience providing humanitarian assistance inside Lebanon, it is vital that we work with the health structure that is already in place. We must all push for sustainable ways to protect the fragile health system from these relentless shocks.

In the interim, Goal is working alongside our partner in Lebanon to provide vital humanitarian assistance to the displaced civilian population.

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As a nation, our support to Lebanon is needed more than ever.

The Lebanese people who have been caught up in this war rightfully deserve better. – Yours, etc,

COLIN LEE,

Director of Programme and Operations,

Goal,

Dún Laoghaire,

Co Dublin.