Israeli bombing has so destroyed all the roads and bridges leading to Tyre that the South of Lebanon has been left without vital humanitarian aid. The UN is looking at possible sea routes to bring in supplies.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon is looking at repairing the bridge across Litani river, but is first seeking guarantees from Israel that it would not be destroyed again.
Due to the poor conditions of roads owing to raids, the major alternative route does seem to be directly by sea to Beirut, Sidon and Tyre. Even more alarmingly, UN World Health Organization has said that chronic shortage of fuel shipments could lead to closure of 60 percent of hospitals.
Despite difficulties, emergency trucks from Syria and UN High Commissioner for Refugees are heading into Lebanon.
Though the UNHCR has been successful in reaching provisions to Beirut, logistical constraints and bombing bridges has caused them to delay further supplies till Thursday.
The UNDP has distributed hygiene kits and other essential supplies while the UN Population fund has been helping the Red CRoss home the displaced.
About a quarter of the country's population have been forced to flee their homes. The UN Relief and Works Agency has been keeping trackof the displaced who are seeking asylum in schools that it runs in Lebanon.
The UN appeal for $149 million for humanitarian use in Lebanon has received only $41 million in donor contributions and commitments so far.
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