Team trekked 14 hours to reach stranded shepherds in Akkar

BEIRUT — After 14 hours of trekking through snow-covered Akkar, volunteers from Akkar Trail, 33 North and other organizations were able to reach stranded shepherds yesterday, finding one in critical condition. L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the area found out more about their mission.

Here’s what we know:

    • The volunteers began in the morning on Tuesday and completed their journey around midnight. They were able to deliver milk, medicine and other necessities to the shepherds.

    • The group of shepherds has been stranded by snow for the fifth consecutive day with their flock in Mishmish, as the greater Akkar area struggles to survive the cold without electricity.

(Credit: L'Orient Today)

    • The volunteers found one of the shepherds in critical condition and suffered the loss of 150 goats, half of his herd, to cold and starvation. The shepherds and their families pleaded with the army to send a military helicopter carrying food for their remaining animals.

    • Less than a week from the start of spring, snow was observed falling on Tuesday at altitudes above 450 meters, with temperatures, under the influence of polar winds, well below seasonal averages.