1.
GV: School building housing refugees in Sidon, Lebanon.
0.03

2.
GV INTERIOR: Children playing and hanging out washings.(3 shots)
0.21

3.
GV PAN FROM: Children on beach TO makeshift tents and shacks. (2 shots)
0.40

4.
SV: Man erecting shack.
0.51

5.
SV: Refugee drinking as children look on. (3 shots)
1.12

6.
GV: Refugees sleeping in tents.
1.17

7.
SV/CU: Small boy sitting in tent. (2 shots)
1.25



Initials RH/



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In southern Lebanon, thousands of people have abandoned their homes and property and moved to safer areas following Israeli sea and air bombardments. The refugees are living wherever they can.

SYNOPSIS: In the town of Sidon, Lebanese refugees live in local schools. Their temporary accommodation is in a permanent building. Children have been uprooted from their homes, many having experienced days of bombardment in their own villages.

Along the coast other refugees are housed only in tents and makeshift shacks. According to recent Israeli reports, attacks on southern Lebanon are concentrated in areas that have been abandoned by the civilian population. They report destroying hundreds of buildings -- but with few casualties. Entire villages are now empty and the israelis allege that abandoned homes are being used by Palestinian guerrillas, as a headquarters.

Only a week ago (27 August) the townspeople of Sidon staged a strike to protest against clashes between Palestinian commando groups that resulted in the deaths of several local people. The town is now under added pressure with the influx of refugees seeking security for their families.

And according to the Commander of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force (UNIFIL) the situation in southern Lebanon continues to be difficult with both sides in the dispute accusing the UN force or cooperating with the other side.