In Geneva, Krista Pikkat, UNESCO’s Director for Culture and Emergencies, along with Marion Barthélémy, Acting Director of UNOSAT, are set to unveil the first comprehensive evaluation of the extensive damage to cultural heritage sites in Lebanon and Gaza.

This evaluation, which combines satellite imagery with reports from the ground, seeks to offer a clear picture of the scale of destruction.

The presentation will highlight the effects of recent conflicts on vital cultural landmarks, including museums, libraries, archaeological sites, and religious structures, many of which hold profound cultural significance for both local populations and global heritage.

UNESCO’s mission, led by Pikkat, is centered on the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, even amid armed conflict, as these assets form an essential part of human identity and history.

On the other hand, UNOSAT, under Barthélémy’s direction, employs cutting-edge satellite technology to gather real-time data on the damage.

Both organizations, in cooperation with various international partners, have been working together to assess both the immediate impact of the destruction and the longer-term threats to heritage preservation caused by ongoing instability.

This vital assessment comes at a time when the global community is focusing on the protection of cultural heritage in the context of modern warfare, and there is an urgent call for international action to prevent further destruction.

The findings presented by Pikkat and Barthélémy are expected to be instrumental in shaping future humanitarian responses and forming the basis for recovery efforts aimed at rebuilding and safeguarding cultural sites in both Lebanon and Gaza.

Agencies.