Humanitarian organisations have raised urgent concerns that vulnerable communities in Lebanon are reaching a breaking point as renewed violence triggers widespread displacement and deepens an already fragile humanitarian situation. In a statement issued by the Lebanon Humanitarian INGO Forum, NGOs called for immediate international action to protect civilians and prevent further deterioration.
As the country was only beginning to recover from previous waves of conflict, the latest escalation has once again forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. Civilian casualties continue to rise, with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reporting hundreds of deaths, including children, and over a thousand injuries in recent weeks. Ongoing violations of ceasefire arrangements have further endangered civilians and destabilised affected areas.
The situation has been worsened by Israeli airstrikes and evacuation directives affecting southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, leading to mass displacement on a scale that could surpass the crisis seen in 2024, when more than one million people were uprooted. Entire communities are now fleeing simultaneously, often without sufficient time to prepare or find safe shelter, placing immense pressure on already strained host areas.
Many families had not yet recovered from previous displacement and were still living in temporary or precarious conditions when the latest crisis forced them to move again. As a result, coping mechanisms have been exhausted, leaving households increasingly vulnerable. The influx of displaced populations is overwhelming infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and public services, while also creating tensions within host communities already struggling with limited resources.
Local municipalities, civil society groups, and host communities have shown solidarity by opening shelters and providing support. However, the scale of the crisis is stretching these systems beyond capacity. Hundreds of collective shelters are currently operating across the country, many lacking adequate resources for basic needs such as water, sanitation, and essential supplies.
Humanitarian organisations are mobilising rapidly to respond where access is possible, but the response is being hindered by chronic underfunding. Even before the current escalation, humanitarian efforts in Lebanon faced significant financial constraints. Without immediate and flexible funding from the international community, aid agencies warn they will be unable to meet the growing needs of displaced populations.
Particular concern has been raised for the most vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, who face greater risks during displacement. Additionally, the safety of civilians, healthcare workers, and humanitarian personnel remains a critical issue, with calls for strict adherence to international humanitarian law.
NGOs stress that humanitarian assistance alone cannot keep pace with the scale of suffering caused by continued hostilities. They are urging urgent diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, protect civilians, and prevent further displacement and destruction.
The forum has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stronger enforcement of international humanitarian law, and increased funding to support life-saving interventions. This includes expanding access to shelter, healthcare, water and sanitation, education, and protection services for both displaced families and host communities.
After years of compounded crises, humanitarian organisations warn that the people of Lebanon cannot endure another large-scale emergency without decisive global action. The current situation underscores the urgent need for both immediate relief and long-term solutions to stabilise the country and protect its most vulnerable populations.
