Displaced Lebanese face shortages of daily necessities amid Israeli strikes

Lebanon is undergoing a grave humanitarian crisis as displaced people in the country are facing dire shortages of daily necessities such as food, drinking water and medical supplies due to Israeli strikes.

During a visit to Lebanese capital Beirut on Wednesday, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, said that Lebanon is facing a full-scale humanitarian crisis, with approximately 20 percent of the population displaced.

In response to the mass displacement caused by Israeli airstrikes and the situation where people have been unable to return home for an extended period of time, Lebanese authorities have begun making preparations to address the crisis.

Since the escalation of hostilities on March 2, about 1.3 million people have been forced to leave their homes.

Many are taking refuge on the streets, in schools, and in stadiums, living in extremely rudimentary conditions. There is a persistent shortage of food, clean drinking water, and medical supplies.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, the government has converted several schools and stadiums in Beirut into temporary shelters.

One shelter now accommodates more than 140 families and over 550 displaced people, most of whom are from southern Lebanon and fled to Beirut with their families after the conflict began.

"We had a very difficult time leaving. We had no cars, no ambulances, nothing. We walked as far as we could amid the bombings until some kind-hearted people saw us on the road and brought us here," said Ihsan, a displaced person.

In early March, these displaced people faced a shortage of basics such as food, drinking water, and warm clothing.

As aid from the Lebanese government and international relief organizations has gradually been rolled out, their living conditions have now improved.

While basic living supplies are now largely in place at the shelter, there is still a shortage of medicines.

The displaced people said they long for more government support.

"The situation is very difficult for those who have left their homes. We hope the government will stand by us and support us," said Hussein, a displaced person.

Displaced Lebanese face shortages of daily necessities amid Israeli strikes

Displaced Lebanese face shortages of daily necessities amid Israeli strikes

Displaced Lebanese face shortages of daily necessities amid Israeli strikes

Displaced Lebanese face shortages of daily necessities amid Israeli strikes

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal