Medical teams from the 43rd Lebanon Brigade (BRILIB XLIII) of the UNIFIL’s Sector East provide healthcare in Aarab Al Wazzani

•  During one day, Spanish and Salvadoran military me-dical personnel provided medical care to the Lebane-se population of the town

As part of a joint effort to strengthen humanitarian assistance and consolidate cooperation ties with local communities, the Blue Helmets of the Spanish and Salvadoran contingents, integrated into the medical assistance units of the 43rd Lebanon Brigade (BRILIB XLIII) of UNIFIL’s Sector East, have provided medical support for a day in the village of Aarab-Al-Wazzani. A significant attendance rate by the local population in need of health assistance is a remarkable experience.This health initiative is the result of ongoing collaboration between the municipality of Aarab-Al-Wazzani and the Spanish UNIFIL's Sector East Civil-Military Cooperation Unit (CIMICU). The purpose is to provide medical care to the local population, thereby reaffirming UNIFIL's commitment to health safety and well-being of civilians in the region.

During the day, the military medical team provided assistance to 70 people of all ages, including men, women and children. In addition to doctor consultations and prescribed treatments, appropriate medications were dispensed to each patient, and thus increasing the quality of medical care provided and ensuring the continuity of health support to the community.

This civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) project reflects the commitment of UNIFIL and the Spanish military forces to building mutual trust and strengthening relations with the local population, as well as highlighting the importance of international coordination in providing medical and humanitarian assistance within the framework of the United Nations mandate.

Thanks to these initiatives, ties between the peacekeeping forces and the Lebanese people are being strengthened, which results in the promotion of mutual understanding and the support of actions aimed at improving health conditions and, ultimately, the quality of life in the region.

Spain’s mission in UNIFIL

The Spanish Armed Forces deployed to Lebanon in September 2006. The main body of the Spanish contingent is stationed at the ‘Miguel de Cervantes’ Base, near the town of Marjayoun, where the Spain-led headquarters of UNIFIL’s Sector East is located. Also, Spanish troops are present at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura.

Nowadays, over 650 Spanish military personnel are deployed in UNIFIL, with the aim of ensuring compliance with United Nations Resolution 1701 (S/RES/1701/2006) where a very unstable security situation is encountered, despite the ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024. 

Spain's participation in the United Nations mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been consolidated over the years as a firm demonstration of its commitment to peace, security and well-being in the region. In addition to its military duties, the Spanish contingent has developed numerous civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) activities, which have strengthened ties with the local population.