Geneva: Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) Anandita Philipose said that 1,355 women in Lebanon have been killed or wounded since the escalation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon last month.
According to Qatar News Agency, Philipose spoke at a press conference for UN agencies in Geneva, explaining that on Wednesday, April 8, 99 women and 31 children were killed across Lebanon, where more than 100 bombs were dropped in less than 10 minutes that day. She highlighted the dire situation families are facing, with many desperately searching for loved ones. New mothers are cradling their newborns amidst uncertainty for their safety, and healthcare workers, already exhausted, are working through their trauma to save others.
Philipose further emphasized the urgent need for maternal and reproductive healthcare for an estimated 13,500 displaced pregnant women, including 1,700 in southern Lebanon, which remains under constant attack. She also raised concerns about the threat of gender-based violence affecting 620,000 displaced women and girls in the region.
The UNPFA representative noted that the crisis has directly impacted the Fund's employees. Despite the collective shock experienced by the UNPFA team, they continue to address the growing and unprecedented needs in health and protection. Their field teams are deployed both inside and outside shelters, engaging deeply in southern Lebanon and reaching hard-to-access areas.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression since March 2 has risen to 2,124, with 6,921 more wounded.