Press Release

Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, following his Visit to Bint Jbeil and Tyre Districts

29 April 2025

  • Beirut, 29 April 2025 – What I saw in South Lebanon was both depressing and inspiring. The scale of destruction—to villages, health facilities, and water systems—is disturbing. 
Caption: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Imran Riza, checking Al Buss water station in Tyre during his field visit to Bint Jbeil and Tyre Districts in South Lebanon on 29 April 2025.
Photo: © OCHA Lebanon

But the people I met were truly inspiring. It’s clear they want to return home, rebuild, and restart their productive lives.

Everyone continues to feel a palpable sense of insecurity. Many still lack basics like water and electricity. Too many are still displaced, their homes flattened.

People spoke of their need for peace, safe movement, basic services, and support to rebuild. 

They also shared the trauma they and their children have endured, and the importance of addressing mental health in the wake of what they have lived through. 

 Sustained funding is critical to restore water, electricity, health care, and education, and to assist people eager to move ahead on the road to recovery and stability.

 There is no time to lose — recovery must move ahead.

-ends-

Imran Riza

Imran Riza

UN
Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator
Imran Riza is the current UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon since the 1st of November 2022. Mr. Riza brings over 35 years of international experience across the United Nations System, mainly in field settings, including through his latest assignment as United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator. Mr. Riza holds a master’s degree in Social-Cultural Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from McGill University. He is a national of Pakistan and is fluent in English, French, and Urdu.

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United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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