Displacement
The recent escalation has resulted in over 1 million internally displaced persons, mostly from southern Lebanon. For the displaced, humanitarian needs are particularly high in the shelter, food, health, protection and basic needs sectors.
Funding gaps also affect the humanitarian outlook and response capacities. The Lebanese Government has deployed its best efforts to tackle this displacement crisis.
While some returns followed the ceasefire, movements remain largely temporary and fluid, with many displaced persons unable to safely return due to insecurity and widespread destruction. Around 123,000 people remain in collective shelters as of the end of April, where living conditions are often strained.
Since November 2025, 115,000 individuals – mostly from Tartous, Lattakia, Homs, and Hama in Syria – have fled to Lebanon. These arrivals from Syria face issues to access:
essential servicessheltereducationface protection risks
Lebanon’s prolonged financial and political crisis has deepened poverty levels. The government has faced significant challenges in implementing the needed policies and reforms.
The situation is further exacerbated by anti-refugee rhetoric. Lebanon is one of the countries with the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. Around 20% of Syrian refugee families live in informal settlements and collective shelters, often in dire conditions, facing discrimination and bureaucratic barriers. Extremely limited livelihood opportunities force refugees to resort to negative coping mechanisms.
Health system
The health system in Lebanon is under severe strain. UNHCR’s termination of hospitalisation support for refugees – covering emergency admissions and maternity services – has left tens of thousands without inpatient care, doubling the burden on hospitals, especially public ones. Healthcare access had already plummeted due to financial barriers, medicine shortages, and the exodus of medical staff seeking higher wages abroad. The system is currently under increased strain due to the recent escalation and the targeting of medical staff and infrastructure by the Israeli defense forces during the latest hostilities.