BEIRUT, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) issued an emergency appeal on Tuesday for 100 million Swiss Francs (115 million U.S. dollars) following the escalation of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

According to a statement released by IFRC, the "Lebanon: Complex Emergency Appeal" aims to provide immediate and long-term relief to around 600,000 people affected by the conflict in Lebanon and to support the critical ambulance services of the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC).

The hostilities' escalation and mass displacement exacerbated the already dire socio-economic circumstances in Lebanon, necessitating a new appeal to address the humanitarian situation more effectively, mainly by providing essential support, including food, first aid, ambulance services, primary healthcare, and heating as the winter approaches, said the statement.

"We are seeing a huge need for basic goods to help the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes. Many are now staying with family members or living in temporary shelters, such as schools," said Lotte Ruppert, operations manager for IFRC in Beirut.

The ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in support of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting retaliatory fire and airstrikes by Israel in southeastern Lebanon.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its airstrikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon, resulting in significant civilian casualties and displacing residents from many areas. Enditem

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