Crisis watch

Lebanon

More than 100 towns and villages across the country have been put into lockdown for one week to stop COVID-19 spread. Bujar Hoxha, CARE Lebanon Country Director, said:

The new lock-down restrictions further add to the challenges of the deteriorating situation in Lebanon. Whilst the lock-down is necessary to slow down the steady increase of COVID-19 cases, which could further overwhelm the country's fragile healthcare sector, restrictions have hit the most vulnerable families hard. As the country grapples with the worst economic crisis in years, over half a million people have lost their jobs in the last six months and Beirutis are still recovering from the profound losses of the August explosions. Some people have had no choice but to reject the restrictions implemented, in order to work and find food for their families.

Despite the challenges, CARE continues to deliver assistance to communities. Hoxha adds: “We must ensure that current and future restrictions would still allow for CARE and other aid organisations to reach those who are most in need.”

So far, in our response to the Beirut explosions, CARE Lebanon and its partners have reached 11,322 people with food security and protection interventions.

Mozambique – conflict and humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique

The humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique has deteriorated due to further climatic shocks, insecurity and violence, access constraints and multiple disease outbreaks (most significantly cholera and COVID-19). As a result, large displacement, disruption of livelihoods and lack of access to basic services are reported. As of early July 2020, at least 250,000 people have been displaced from their homes within the province.

Challenges include restricted access to highly vulnerable populations due to impassable roads and fallen bridges, especially during the rainy season, and security dynamics in areas of ongoing or potential conflict.

At this time, CARE’s response is confined to serving vulnerable communities in the southern districts of Cabo Delgado (including Ibo islands) and northern Nampula. Reaching conflict-affected communities further north in the province will require funding for further investments in essential logistical capacity and safety equipment.

Yemen

CARE is warning of a disastrous humanitarian situation unfolding in Yemen unless there is an end to six years of conflict. Aaron Brent, CARE Yemen Country Director, says:

The impact of this war is truly staggering, especially regarding food and water – the absolute basics of life. A third of the population is said to be at risk of famine, and two-thirds are in need of water and sanitation. Malnutrition and disease are everywhere, as witnessed by our dedicated field teams. CARE is especially concerned about the impacts of the humanitarian crisis on women and girls – particularly the lack of reproductive health services, and increased vulnerability due to displacement and a lack of adequate shelter and hygiene facilities.

The deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen throughout 2020 is the result of economic collapse linked to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a lack of donor funding, extreme weather conditions and intensified fighting particularly in and around Marib. More international funding is essential to help save and rebuild lives and provide basic services, which are critically lacking.

Read more about the humanitarian situation in Yemen in our August 2020 factsheet:

CARE Yemen factsheet August 2020 (PDF)

Beirut

A huge fire at a warehouse in the Beirut port area caused panic and shock throughout the city until the Lebanese army brought the blaze under control. Gul Rehman, CARE Lebanon Deputy Country Director, said:  

Just over a month after the blast, many people are still suffering the trauma of the explosion that destroyed their houses and took away their loved ones. Many are now living in fear of what to expect in the capital. It’s a huge shock for all of us, here in Beirut and for other vulnerable Lebanese people who have already been suffering from the economic crisis, the pandemic, and then the blast.

As of 4 September, CARE Lebanon has reached 9,820 individuals with food parcels and hot meals, and 225 individuals with dignity kits and PPE kits to populations affected by the blast. CARE is planning to reach 30,000 people during the first two phases of the Beirut explosion response (Year 1), and to increase to 100,000 persons over a 3-year period. CARE Lebanon was already responding to COVID-19 before the blast and will continue with provision of essential materials (including disinfection kits, food parcels) and actions to raise awareness among the population.

• Read more in our story Beirut: Surviving in the aftermath of the explosion

Sudan floods

Heavy rains and flash floods since mid-July have affected over 380,000 people across 17 states in Sudan. The flooding compounds increasing and emerging humanitarian needs in Sudan, as the country deals with one of its worse food crises of the last decade, a sharp economic downturn, the escalation of violence in Darfur, Red Sea and Kassala states, the COVID-19 pandemic and a recently declared polio outbreak.

The ongoing heavy rainfall hampers crop production, increases the possibilities and risks of disease outbreaks and poses more obstacles to the government and partners’ efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to clean water has also been affected with approximately 2,000 water sources contaminated or non-functional.

Most people displaced by floods are living with host families, exposed to congestion, poor sanitation and inadequate food and other essentials, such as medicines, mosquito nets, as well as protection and maternal services. The most affected are women and children.

CARE staff and partners are monitoring the situation and are already responding in our operational areas, for example by replacing damaged latrines in Al Nimir refugee camp.