By Matthew Hollingworth, the WFP Country Director in Lebanon, stated that meeting the needs of over a million suddenly displaced individuals is impossible without additional resources. He emphasized that Lebanon was not well-prepared for this crisis due to ongoing challenges in recent years, making the situation particularly difficult.
One week after the UN launched a $426 million appeal for those affected by the crisis, only 12% of the funds—about $51.4 million—have been received. Aid teams are committed to assisting those in need, especially the most vulnerable. However, Hollingworth warned that many people had to leave their homes with minimal preparation due to rapid escalations in fighting.
He described horrific cases of forced evacuations, with individuals receiving notices to leave their homes within hours. Families that were displaced over the past year and had prepared for emergencies are faring better than the majority who had to leave suddenly as bombardments began.
The ongoing Israeli bombardment of Beirut and southern Lebanon, connected to the war in Gaza, has led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people from frontline areas and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Many towns and villages are now reduced to rubble.
Poverty in Lebanon has skyrocketed due to the aftermath of COVID-19 and the catastrophic port explosion in 2020. The country is struggling to accommodate more than a million Syrian refugees amidst a prolonged political crisis. Jeremy Laurence from the UN human rights office (OHCHR) emphasized the urgent need to halt the violence in Gaza and Lebanon, highlighting the extreme toll on civilians, including closed hospitals, displacement, and civilian casualties.
More than 200,000 people currently reside in 973 formal shelters in Beirut and northern Lebanon, with around 773 shelters reported to be overcrowded. Hollingworth noted that many individuals from the south are moving not only because their homes have been destroyed but also due to fear and the loss of loved ones and community ties.
The aid agency’s update coincides with renewed rocket fire from Hezbollah targeting the northern Israeli city of Haifa, which has been ongoing since the conflict in Gaza began, displacing tens of thousands of Israelis.
Healthcare in Lebanon is also under severe strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 17 attacks on healthcare facilities and workers since September 16, resulting in 65 deaths and 42 injuries. Over 96 health centers and facilities in the south have been forced to close, and five hospitals are no longer operational due to damage. Additionally, four hospitals have partially evacuated to maintain emergency services, redirecting patients needing critical care to other locations.
UN humanitarian officials are advocating for the continued open access of land, air, and sea routes to Lebanon, as the country relies heavily on imports for most of its needs.
