Aid workers race to keep up with refugees

Thousands of Lebanese today joined the stream of refugees returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, followed closely by relief workers hoping to keep up with their needs in an area where a month of fighting devastated buildings and knocked out electricity and other essential services.

“More than 6,000 people an hour are making their way south,” said UNICEF spokeswoman Wivina Belmonte.

UNHCR started its work at the Syrian border, with a 24-hour a day operation passing out water, food, towels and rehydration salts and offering other assistance, said spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis.

Other UNHCR teams have been stationed along the heavily-damaged roads inside Lebanon, handing out mattresses, water and plastic sheeting, she said.

UN officials also mounted a special effort to warn returnees that they and their children must avoid any unexploded shells and bombs left over from the fighting.

World Food Programme spokeswoman Christiane Berthiaume said a ship carrying 21 trucks full of relief items had left Beirut for Tyre today to avoid adding to the heavy traffic on the roads.