The crisis in the Middle East has intensified, pushing Lebanon into a severe humanitarian catastrophe. Sana Basim, Head of Programmes for Islamic Relief Lebanon, described the worsening conditions as Israeli airstrikes expand deeper into Lebanese territory, spreading fear across areas that were previously considered safe. While coordinating aid efforts remotely due to travel disruptions, she reports hearing alarming accounts from field teams. Local authorities have confirmed dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, while the escalating violence has triggered widespread panic and displacement across the country.
The humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly as tens of thousands of people flee southern Lebanon to safer areas such as Mount Lebanon, Beirut, and northern regions. Major roads have become heavily congested with families escaping the violence, with long journeys taking several hours. Reports indicate that some pregnant women have been forced to give birth along roadsides due to the delays and chaos. Schools and public buildings have been converted into emergency shelters by the government and humanitarian agencies, but many are already overcrowded and lack adequate sanitation facilities.
Those unable to access official shelters, including people with disabilities and pregnant women, are struggling to find alternative accommodation, which is often scarce and expensive. Lebanon was already facing severe challenges prior to this escalation, including the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, a prolonged economic crisis, and a large refugee population. Even before the latest wave of displacement, hundreds of thousands of people in the country were experiencing food insecurity, and the current conflict is expected to worsen these conditions significantly.
Despite the immense challenges, humanitarian organisations are working to respond to the growing needs. Islamic Relief is collaborating with government bodies and other aid agencies to provide displaced families with essential assistance such as hot meals, bottled water, hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses, and medical supplies. Aid teams have already delivered food parcels and water to shelters across several regions, while also supporting healthcare facilities to ensure they can continue operating during the crisis.
Aid workers on the ground are themselves facing the same dangers and hardships as the communities they serve, with some staff members also displaced from their homes. Nevertheless, they continue to provide assistance under extremely stressful conditions. The situation in Lebanon remains deeply concerning, with widespread fear about what may happen next. Humanitarian organisations stress the urgent need for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to prevent further suffering and to allow the country to begin recovering from this growing crisis.
