Lebanon Acute Crisis Joint Response

Lebanon is facing one of the most severe escalations of violence since the 2006 war. Hostilities on the Lebanon-Israel border significantly escalated since the week of 23 September 2024, leading to the deadliest period and largest displacement surge that the country has seen in decades. Airstrikes initially focused on the southern region intensified and expanded into previously unaffected areas and increasingly targeted critical civilian infrastructure. In a single day, October 6th, 2024, more than 30 airstrikes struck the Beirut southern suburbs and surrounding areas frightening residents and forcing additional displacement from densely populated areas, including Shatila Palestine refugee camp. Displacement orders for more than 100 villages and urban neighbourhoods across southern Lebanon forced people to flee, pushing many up to 30km north. One quarter of Lebanese territory was under Israeli military displacement orders, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The impact of the military escalation was huge with reports of 2,083 deaths, including 127 children and 9,869 injured, including 890 children. This period also saw massive displacement, as civilians fled southern Lebanon, with roads congested as people sought safety from the escalating violence. As of 11 October 2024, the Lebanese government issued new estimates of up to 1.2 million people affected by the conflict, with at least 350,000 children being displaced. National authorities have opened approximately 1,000 collective shelters for over 185,000 people – half of them women and children. More than 80% of shelters are full (UNICEF, 8 Oct 2024; OCHA, 7 Oct 2024).

Yet, after more than two months of intense hostilities, a conditional ceasefire agreement between Lebanese and Israeli authorities took effect on November 27, for a period of 60 days. This unexpected ceasefire allows for the Joint Response to re-assess its activities and better address the urgent needs on the ground.

The Joint Response
Activities carried out under this Joint Response are the following:

• Food Security (FSL): The joint response provides hot meals and food parcels to displaced populations in Southern Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, Saida, Chouf, Aley, Baalbek-Hermel, Akkar, and North Governorates, prioritizing the most vulnerable households.
• Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA):  Emergency cash assistance is provided to vulnerable households to meet their immediate basic needs.
• Protection: Activities include recreational sessions, Psychological First Aid (PFA), Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and awareness campaigns on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Children will receive kits containing stationery, emotional support materials, and child protection resources.
  • Protection of Women and Girls: Women and girls will receive dignity kits, PFA, GBV awareness sessions, and support with safe identification and referral services.
  • Case Management for Children: Targeted support and case management services for children, including those at risk of exploitation or separation.
• Shelter:  Winterization kits will be distributed to assist vulnerable individuals, including repairs to shelters to make them winterproof. Thermal blankets, clothing, and insulation materials will be provided to ensure a safe and warm living environment.
• Health: Mental health consultations and primary healthcare services, including mother and childcare, non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, and medications, will be offered to internally displaced persons (IDPS).
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH):  Hygiene kits, baby kits, and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) supplies will be distributed, alongside the rehabilitation and construction of WASH facilities in collective shelters. Water trucking and distribution will also be provided.

These interventions aim to support a total of 66,981 individuals, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups such as children, women, persons with disabilities, and displaced families in need. The response is designed to meet the immediate needs while considering gender-sensitive approaches to ensure the most effective support for all affected populations.

Photo: Families travel north from Lebanon’s southern coastal city Sidon as thousands flee airstrikes.
Date: 23 september 2024 (Credit: Reuters / Amr Abdallah Dalsh)