BEIRUT — The coordinator of the Government Emergency Committee, caretaker Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin, said on Saturday that the assistance distributed to people displaced by the war in Lebanon constitutes only 15 to 20 percent of their overall needs, local media report.

More than 1.4 million people have been displaced as a result of the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel, which escalated dramatically in September when Israel launched a bombing campaign in which it hit thousands of sites across southern and eastern Lebanon 

Yassin published a report on the assistance directly managed by the emergency committee and the supplies distributed until Nov. 8.

“The main task of the Emergency Committee is to coordinate the response to the emerging humanitarian situation as a result of the Israeli aggression, ensure joint work between governmental and international stakeholders, secure funding by strengthening international cooperation, and activate transparency and accountability mechanisms for the multiple response programs implemented by governmental entities and international organizations,” Yassin said.

According to the report, more than 200,000 out of the 1.4 million people moved to shelters. The U.N. has reported that all the country's shelters, of which there are around 900, are at capacity.

Yassin adds that aid was received from "brotherly and friendly countries, Lebanese expatriates and international organizations through the airport and port" and has been distributed through several organizations including the Ministry of Public Health, the Higher Relief Authority, the Council for South Lebanon, international organizations and the government's emergency committee. Moreover, the aid is divided in several categories, the most important of which are medicines and medical supplies as well as food and shelter assistance.

“As for the aid that is directly supervised by the Emergency Committee, it is sent to the operations rooms of [Lebanon's] eight governorates ... in cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross, which assists the governors in the distribution process,” he said. 

Accordig to Yassin, the committee has so far received 40,662 food boxes, of which 90 percent have been distributed, 15,735 hygiene boxes, of which 90 percent have been distributed, 17,938 shelter boxes, of which 74 percent have been distributed, 2,774 tents, of which 54 percent have been distributed, and 39,615 blankets and mattresses, of which 61 percent have been distributed.

“The needs are still great, as the assistance distributed constitutes only 15 to 20 percent of the overall needs of the displaced population and is heavily focused on helping people in shelters."