Lebanon: Flash Update #54 - Escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, as of 09 January 2025

HIGHLIGHTS

● 868,947 people displaced within Lebanon reported back in their cadasters of origin as of 8 January (IOM).

● 115,439 people remain displaced outside their cadasters of origin, a 7 per cent decrease since 31 December (IOM).

● National and local authorities estimate some 87,000 people arrived from Syria, both Lebanese and Syrian, as of 7 January (UNHCR).

● The Lebanon Flash Appeal has been extended for another three months (from January to March 2025), calling for additional $371.4 million.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Lebanon continues to face significant humanitarian challenges as the country grapples with a complex humanitarian crisis exacerbated by economic downturn and the ongoing impact of the 14-month escalation of hostilities. The widespread destruction and depletion of essential services is deepening the vulnerability of the Lebanese population, refugees, and migrants across the country. The situation remains difficult for the many people returning to their cadasters of origin, those remaining in displacement, and other communities affected by the hostilities who are struggling with limited access to basic services like food, clean water, health care, or shelter. The successful election of the President of Lebanon on 9 January offers renewed opportunities for consolidating the cessation of hostilities at a time when humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction needs are significant.

Violations of the cessation of hostilities continued to be reported during the past 7-day period, contributing to an already fragile situation. Airstrikes were recorded in Nabatieh Governorate, and the demolition of buildings in Nabatieh and South Lebanon, as well as access restrictions imposed by the Israeli army to more than 60 villages and towns in southern Lebanon, continue. At least 27 civilians have reportedly been killed since 27 November 2024 by Israeli attacks, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) indicates that some 868,947 internally displaced people (IDPs) are back in the cadasters from which they were initially displaced. Meanwhile, 115,439 people have been identified as remaining internally displaced, primarily in Saida, Nabatieh, Beirut, Tyre, and Aley districts. While decommissioning assessments and works have begun to restore many collective sites to their original purpose, 3,769 people are reportedly remaining in 39 collective sites, most of which are schools or other private and public spaces. In Tyre (South Governorate), some 600 IDPs remain in five public schools in which dividing walls have been installed to allow for educational services to resume while the buildings continue to serve as emergency shelters. In Nabatieh, seven collective shelters remain open, hosting 236 displaced individuals. In Tripoli, many who remain in collective shelters report losing their homes and livelihoods, while some (predominantly men) have left on 'go-and-see' visits to their villages to guide households’ informed decisions to return.

Population movements through official and unofficial border crossings between Syria and Lebanon continue to be fluid. According to UNHCR, three official border crossings remain open between Lebanon and Syria, with the Masnaa official border crossing in Bekaa being the only one open for vehicle traffic. Movements continue on a daily basis, with approximately 1,000-1,500 crossings reported per day at the official border entries, mostly through Masnaa. Movements continue to take place through unofficial crossing points, although official numbers are difficult to ascertain. As of 7 January, the government’s Disaster Risk Management reports approximately 87,000 arrivals from Syria in Baalbek Governorate, including 20,000 Lebanese. Among the arrivals, some 35,000 people, mostly Syrians, are living in 187 informal collective shelters, and another 52,000 are living in the community. Critical needs in the collective shelters include heating, fuel, water, and sanitation. As some of the shelters are crowded, some displaced families are residing in unpartitioned, below-standard shelters and addressing their needs is a key priority.

With schools officially opening on 7 January, the government has approved school attendance for registered Syrian refugee children. Advocacy efforts are ongoing to ensure that children without identification are also considered. More than 100,000 children across the country have been registered for afternoon shifts, with more than 40,000 children requiring documentation.

The mental health consequences of prolonged exposure to multiple adverse events are a strong concern within affected communities, impacting various aspects of their lives. A recent UNICEF study into the mental health and psychosocial needs of children, youth, and caregivers across Palestinian camps in Lebanon showcases the impact that hostilities, regional violence, and economic instability have had on a community that has faced significant challenges over the years. Emotional distress is primarily driven by persistent fear and anxiety stemming from conflict-related safety concerns, especially in areas like Ein El Hilwe and El Buss camps, where hostilities in the border areas have exacerbated mental health issues. This reality is compounded by poor socio-economic conditions and limited access to essential services. Internally displaced young women and girls across South, Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorates shared similar experiences in another UNICEF analysis, with 80 per cent reporting worsening mental health since the escalation in hostilities and many not feeling comfortable requesting mental health services. There is a pressing need for comprehensive, holistic support systems that address the immediate needs of safety, health care, and economic survival, and ensure more specialized mental health and psychosocial services for affected communities.

While the hostilities impact civilians indiscriminately, women and girls have been disproportionately affected due to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that heighten their exclusion and risks. A UN Women rapid assessment, engaging women predominantly from southern Lebanon, confirms that displaced women need cash assistance (80 per cent) amid scarcity of employment, and that women are responding to decreased household income by entering informal working arrangements (23 per cent) or increasing unpaid care work in the home (82 per cent). Women are also resorting to negative coping mechanisms, such as reducing food intake (74 per cent), impacting their health and well-being or that of their family members. Vulnerable women, including women with disabilities, older women, gender-based violence survivors, and migrant workers, face additional risks. Consultations with women-led organizations (WLO) providing essential services in Lebanon identified safe shelter, basic assistance, food supplies, and emergency livelihood support, and protection services as the top needs. Despite facing challenges related to access to funding, participation, and safety and security, WLOs continue to prioritize reaching the most impacted and vulnerable groups with life-saving and protection assistance and require support to strengthen their involvement and access to resources.