UNHCR: Attacks on civilians pile fresh misery on Lebanon

Briefing notes

UNHCR: Attacks on civilians pile fresh misery on Lebanon

This is a summary of what was said by Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

27 September 2024

A woman sits on a ledge in a courtyard with a small boy standing on her lap.

Hameeda Al Mohammad holds her grandson in a school in Beirut that has been turned into a collective shelter for people fleeing the airstrikes.

Five days into the most violent and wide-reaching attacks Lebanon has experienced in almost two decades, we have now reached what we have been warning against and fearing: a humanitarian catastrophe.

While we have been preparing for this scenario for 11 months, the implementation of aid programmes is hindered by a lack of funding. We repeat our call to donors to urgently ramp up funding for humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon.

The sheer human toll is staggering, with at least 1,540 killed in the country since the start of the hostilities in October 2023, including over 100 Syrians. In just one day, during the first of Israel’s large-scale airstrikes on 23 September, more than 500 were killed.

The UNHCR family has not been spared, as we lost two devoted and beloved colleagues, and one of their sons. The protection of civilians is a must, and we repeat calls for urgent de-escalation, and call on all parties to protect civilians, including aid workers, in line with international humanitarian law.

Since October 2023, over 211,000 people have been displaced, including over 118,000 this week alone.

The relentless airstrikes have pushed tens of thousands from the South, southern suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa to safer locations in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the North. Movements peaked on both Monday and Tuesday, creating congestion and chaos. They have continued more gradually as many people are still looking for homes and shelters.

Lebanon saw similar upheavals during the July 2006 war with Israel, when Lebanese fled to Syria and Europe. But the country is in a much more precarious situation now, as it faces an enduring socio-economic crisis.

While a significant aid community is present in Lebanon today, regular aid programmes absorb most existing resources, leaving few funds to swiftly ramp up and address new needs. Logistical access challenges, including any potential airport closure, will add to those impediments.

UNHCR’s response continues to focus on all affected communities, including Lebanese and refugees. The main needs include safe shelters, core relief items, health care, cash assistance, and protection services.

Since October 2023, UNHCR has provided over 140,000 core relief items, and cash assistance for over 68,560 displaced people, while supporting collective shelters and ensuring access to health care and psychosocial support.

While there has been an increase in border crossings from Lebanon to Syria over the past days, most displaced individuals remain inside Lebanon as the country continues to host an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees, and over 11,000 refugees of other nationalities. Current hostilities – compounded by the socio-economic situation – create challenges for all communities, all of whom deserve equal access to safety and dignity.

UNHCR understands that some Syrians are being turned away by collective shelters hosting displaced people. While UNHCR appreciates Lebanon’s generous hospitality in hosting so many refugees and understands the challenges this adds at this very delicate juncture, we call on all actors to maintain and apply humanitarian principles and allow equal access to assistance.

Newly displaced Syrians and Lebanese in several regions tell us that they have had to sleep in the open. UNHCR and partners are working with the relevant authorities on finding urgent solutions to this issue.

UNHCR has been standing with Lebanon for decades as it has been confronted with substantial crises and challenges, and we continue to call on donors to provide the means to allow us to continue doing so in an adequate manner.

Now is the time for the international community to step up its support for Lebanon and its people. Failing to provide urgent and substantial support will result in increased complexity and even more deeply rooted needs, making it more difficult to address the fast-growing crisis.

While the humanitarian community will continue to do its level best to respond, an urgent political solution remains the priority.