Bomb and Build

The location and size of the attacks on Lebanon is depicted in the image above. The image displays bombings up to 27th of July. Please click on it to have a better view.

Movement of the Displaced Population
The Israeli attack on the South and the southern suburbs of Beirut has caused a large number of people to flee their homes in the search of areas that have not as of yet been directly targeted by Israeli bombs. According to government sources, a total of 866,780 civilians are currently displaced with 106,780 seeking refuge in schools in Mount Lebanon and Beirut. The displaced have mainly found shelter in schools and relief agencies with government officials stating that approximately 652 have opened their doors for these innocent civilians, moreover; approximately 550,000 have found shelter with families, friends, churches, and mosques. The remaining displaced population has left Lebanon to settle in neighboring countries.

Displaced Data
106,780 people are sheltered in 652 schools
550,000 people are sheltered with families, friends, churches, mosques etc.
210,000 people are still in Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, and Gulf area.
Total of 866,780 people displaced

The table below provides a break down of displaces citizens that are seeking refuge in schools / other entities (non-household):

42,271 people are in 296 schools/other entities in Mount Lebanon
32,465 people are in 144 schools/other entities in Beirut
24,151 people are in 110 schools/other entities in South Lebanon
4,523 people are in 59 schools/other entities in Bekaa
3,370 people are in 43 schools/other entities in North Lebanon
Total of 106,780 people in 652 schools / other entities throughout Lebanon

Casualties / Damages
According to Lebanese government sources, the Israeli attack on Lebanon which commenced on July 12, 2006 has caused the death of 600 innocent civilians and the injury of 3,225.
Israeli bombardments have resulted in the destruction of airports, ports, TV stations, broadcasting antennas, bridges, roads, and villages. Preliminary figures reveal the following damage to infrastructure:

Description Quantity
Vital Points
(airports, ports,
water and sewage
treatment,
electrical plants etc.): 27
Roads: 600 Km
Fuel Stations: 23
Bridges: 62
Over passes: 72
Private houses
/ apartments: 6,200
Commercial
sector (factories,
markets, farms, etc.): 160

Demolished infrastructure has reached an estimate of 2 billion USD which is broken down as shown in the table below:

Division Approximate Damages (Million USD)
Transportation 386
Electricity 180
Telecommunications 85
Water 70
Housing and Trade Organizations 1,144
Industrial Organizations 180
Gas Stations 10
Military infrastructure 16
Total 2,071

Good thing President Bush pitched in to help reconstruct Lebanon last night. But unfortunately the true damages are far greater than simply the physical damages. One estimate is that the Lebanese economy is bleeding away at the rate of $70m a day, due to lost revenues from such major earners as construction and tourism. Others put the figure still higher. The Finance Minister stated that the real cost has exceeded several billion dollars since all major economic activities are completely halted. This includes tourism, aviation, import/export, agriculture and even industry. And this economic meltdown comes in light that Lebanon has the highest debt to GDP ratio in the world standing at 180% compared to GDP (debt is $38 billion). Some 50% of the government's revenues, which it acquires from economic activity, goes to servicing the debt. Whats next for Lebanon? An economic shock? Additionally, the credibilty of the economy has taken a severe blow. Lebanon was becoming a magnet for petro-dollars, now that the economy is in shatters I wonder if private sector money will trickle in.
A good thing though is that donations began to be awarded. Already Saudi Arabia donated $500 million and deposited $1 billion in the Central Bank to reinforce reserves. Additionally, and as mentioned earlier, Bush clearly stated that "we will reconstruct Lebanon, we will reconstruct all the houses so that people can go back home."
Oddly enough, the USA provides the bombs, and then reconstructs the houses. I wonder if Americans are happy tax payers.
mrtez