Lebanon

23 January 2025

Between December 2024 and March 2025, 30% of the analysed population is projected to experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3 and above) levels of food insecurity or worse, an increase from the 19% recorded during the same period in 2024. This rise is attributed to the escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel since 8 October 2023, coupled with economic deterioration and rising inflation. (IPC 17/01/2025, IPC 07/12/2023)

08 January 2025

The agriculture sector continues to be one of the most affected in southern Lebanon after the escalation of clashes between Hezbollah and Israel since 8 October 2023. Nearly 95% of agricultural households were displaced, and all crop producers and 90% of livestock farmers are unable to access their land and farms. Over 70% of the agricultural sector across Lebanon was affected. Israeli bombardments burnt over 65,000 olive trees. The crops most affected are olives, pine, oak, apples, bananas, citrus fruits, and wheat. Livestock is also impacted, with the death of more than one million chickens and over 18,000 heads of cattle, damage to 5,200 beehives, and the destruction of feed warehouses reaching 10,000 metres. The agriculture sector contributes between 25–35% of southern Lebanon’s GDP; the recovery of agriculture is needed to avoid a deterioration in food security levels. (OCHA 06/01/2025, The New Arab 16/11/2024)

04 December 2024

Following the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel on 27 November 2024, an estimated 580,000 displaced people started returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, southern Beirut suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley. The Government reported that 90% of IDPs who were in collective shelters had returned. They have limited access to services and need food, water, education, and assistance with the repair of damaged hospitals and infrastructure. (OCHA 02/12/2024, IOM 30/11/2024)

06 November 2024

The escalating clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have been straining maternal healthcare services, affecting more than 11,000 pregnant displaced women (with nearly 12% expected to give birth in the coming month) by 30 October 2024. Many lack access to healthcare given the destruction of nearly a quarter of Lebanon’s infrastructure and the killing of 110 healthcare workers by Israeli air strikes since 8 October 2023. Displaced women face many health risks, compounded by trauma and anxiety. For many, prolonged displacement has also depleted savings. The resulting inability to afford essential services further endangers maternal and infant health. These women urgently need safe delivery options, access to midwives, prenatal assessments, and postnatal care. (UNFPA 30/10/2024, OCHA 04/11/2024, UN 31/10/2024)

29 October 2024

By 27 October 2024, escalating clashes between Hezbollah and Israel had displaced over 834,700 people, primarily to Mount Lebanon and Beirut governorates. People with disabilities, who comprise 13% of the population, are among the most affected, as they have to stay in shelters with inadequate infrastructure to accommodate their mobility needs. They urgently require medical equipment for movement support and healthcare services. (IOM 28/10/2024, HI 03/10/2024, Al Qalah News 29/10/2024)

16 October 2024

By 11 October 2024, Israeli air strikes had displaced most of the Palestinian refugees residing in the camps in Sour district (Al Buss, Burj Al Shemali, and Rashidieh camps) to safer areas in Beirut and northern Lebanon. Most of them are staying in 11 UNRWA shelters, mainly in Beirut, North, and Saida governorates. Their needs include shelter, food, and medical assistance. The situation is aggravating Lebanon's already strained capacity to support affected populations during the current conflict. (UNRWA 11/10/2024, TNA 11/10/2024)

09 October 2024

Migrant workers who have been displaced after the Israeli airstrikes are facing challenges in accessing services because of the kafala system, in addition to facing displacement. Under the kafala system, sponsors, which can be individuals or organisations, control migrant workers' legal residency and free movement and hold their legal documents. Because of the displacement, many migrant workers have been separated from their sponsors and left without their legal documents. They are mostly staying in open areas, sleeping on the streets or beaches of Beirut city. They cannot access government shelters because of the documentation issue and because Lebanese nationals are prioritised over foreigners. They lack access to WASH, food, shelter, and healthcare, in addition to assistance to return to their countries. There were over 176,000 migrant workers in Lebanon at the end of August 2024. Many of them are from Ethiopia and Bangladesh and are receiving limited support from their embassies.
(OCHA 01/10/2024, The New Arab 02/10/2024, AJ 05/10/2024)