The year 2023 has seen enormous challenges for south Lebanon, especially in recent months. Since then, we have all had to adapt to the new situation. Today, our peacekeepers are focused on preventing escalation and safeguarding civilian lives, while maintaining their own safety and security so they can continue their important work.
We undertook over 450 patrols and other activities each and every day, some of them together with the Lebanese Armed Forces. Since the 8th of October, we have refocused our efforts on patrols to monitor the situation and prevent greater escalation.
Our close work with the Lebanese Armed Forces continued this year, and is more important than ever. We all have a responsibility to ensure the support to the implementation of Resolution 1701, and our work with the LAF is key to long-term stability in south Lebanon.
In 2023, our peacekeepers undertook over 4000 projects, donations, and activities in health care, education, agriculture, energy, and more. We have continued our activities to support the communities we live and work in, despite the current challenges.
2023 is ending in a more difficult situation than anyone could have expected. UNIFIL is deeply concerned by the destruction, deaths, and injuries we have seen since the 8th of October. As peacekeepers, we continue to urge everyone to cease their fire to avoid a greater escalation, which would mean more harm to communities along the Blue Line.
There is a path back to stability. I firmly believe that diplomacy can lead to the possible solution, and UNIFIL continues to liaise and coordinate with the parties to create the best conditions to advance toward that goal. It will take hard work and compromise on all sides. But it is the only way to achieve a lasting peace.
And that is my wish for 2024.
Happy new year. May it bring peace to all of us.