Summary: Lebanon: EU Commission activates civil protection mechanism to help cope with major oil spill (28 July 2006: Brussels)
Lebanon has requested urgent help from the EU's civil protection mechanism to contain environmental damage caused by a major oil spill off the coast of Lebanon. The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lebanon has asked for assistance from the European Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) to mobilise the help of EU Member States in cleaning up the pollution caused by an estimated 10,000 - 35,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.
"Wars do cause enormous human suffering as we are witnessing now in Lebanon. But another aspect is also the significant environmental destruction caused by it. The recent oil spill off the coast of Lebanon could affect the livelihood and health of the Lebanese and people in neighbouring countries as well as the status of the marine environment in the region. With the help of the MIC, Member States will be able to provide co-ordinated assistance, including experts and specialised materials,"
said Euroepan Commissioner Stavros Dimas, in charge of the MIC;
According to the Lebanese authorities, the spill was caused by the destruction of a storage tank at a power plant at Jieh, which was hit by Israeli bombs on the 13th and 15th of July. The fuel has been burning, but part of it leaked out to sea. There are also some other smaller sources of oil spills, which are believed to be caused by a ship that sank. The heavy oil has so far contaminated at least 70-80 km of the coastline north of Jieh. The spill has affected rocky and sandy public beaches as
well as ports and marinas.
The Lebanese government requested the assistance in the form of significant amounts of dispersants, booms, absorbents, skimmers, as well as specialised boats and any other material/equipment needed for a clean-up operation. It also asks for a list of specialised registered companies, which are available to be involved.
Several states have already responded to the request and offers of assistance are being assessed in view of their submission to the Lebanese authorities.
At the same time further needs are being identified.
Background:
On 27 July 2006, the Lebanese Ministry of Environment requested the assistance of the Commission following a major oil spill causing a very serious environmental emergency.
An estimated quantity of 10,000 - 35,000 tons of heavy fuel oil is reported to have contaminated at least 70-80 km of the coastline.
The oil has originated mainly from sources on land such as the storage tanks of a power plant in the Jieh area, 30 km south of Beirut and partly from sources at sea. The Commission immediately activated the Community Mechanism for civil protection.
The request for assistance includes dispersants, booms, absorbents, skimmers, as well as specialised boats and any other material needed for clean up operations, as well as a list of specialised registered companies which could assist. The MIC forwarded the request to the participating States (civil protection and marine pollution contact points).
Offers of assistance have been received from participating States and are currently being assessed.
The MIC remains in close contact with International organisations also involved (UNEP, REMPEC - regional emergency response centre for the Mediterranean Sea). The provision of satellite imagery through the International Charter "space and major disasters" is also being studied.
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