Thursday, July 20 2006 10:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Over four lakh people have left their homes in Lebanon in the face of Israeli bombings and another five lakh are likely to flee if the violence continues, the UN has said as its humanitarian agencies began mobilising resources to meet the needs of those displaced.

The immediate requirements, the agencies said, are food, shelter, sanitation and healthcare.

Most of the displaced have sought refuge with families and friends living in safer areas, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), but up to 40,000 are believed to have taken shelter in school buildings and public gardens.

An interagency meeting between UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was convened to share information and develop a contingent plan of action.

An assessment team is expected reach Beirut shortly. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is also sending a four-person humanitarian team to the region to help coordinate the response on the ground and expects to launch a flash appeal for Lebanon early next week.

The agencies are continuing discussions with the ICRC and the Lebanese Red Cross on the transport ation of patients and medical supplies, and the UN Works and Relief Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is planning to organise mobile medical teams to assist displace persons.

UNICEF, meanwhile, has issued an appeal for nearly USD 7.5 million to respond to the immediate needs of women and children. Regarding people moving out of the country, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said its staff was monitoring the border between Syria and Lebanon.