The International Organization for Migration, with support from the European Union and the Government of Luxembourg, has airlifted more than 4,500 emergency shelter and household items from Maastricht to Beirut through the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge. The delivery comes as humanitarian conditions continue to worsen in Lebanon, where more than one million people remain displaced due to ongoing military escalation and repeated displacement orders.
The shipment includes essential relief supplies such as tarpaulins, sleeping mats, and kitchen sets intended for displaced families living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. IOM teams in Lebanon will distribute the items based on urgent humanitarian needs identified across affected communities.
According to IOM officials, many families have been forced to flee multiple times and are struggling to access adequate shelter, household necessities, and basic services. Humanitarian agencies warned that the situation remains critical, particularly for displaced populations living outside formal collective shelters where assistance is more limited.
Since March 2026, IOM has expanded its emergency response across Lebanon by providing core relief items including mattresses, blankets, solar lamps, pillows, and kitchen supplies to more than 27,600 individuals across 47 locations. The organization has also coordinated referrals for over 2,700 people living in informal or non-government-managed sites to access shelter, food assistance, medical care, and cash support.
In addition to emergency shelter assistance, IOM has supported more than 11,700 people through health-related services such as tuberculosis screenings, transportation to healthcare centres, and health awareness campaigns. Mental health and psychosocial support services have reached more than 3,800 individuals, while over 6,000 people have benefited from protection services.
Migrants in Lebanon remain particularly vulnerable during the crisis due to language barriers, limited access to information, and concerns related to their migration status. Since March, IOM has received more than 700 evacuation requests. The organization has already assisted 41 migrants in returning to their countries of origin and is currently processing more than 150 additional cases in coordination with Lebanese authorities and embassies.
Despite ongoing humanitarian operations, IOM warned that severe funding shortages are threatening the scale-up of life-saving assistance. In March 2026, the organization launched a USD 19 million appeal as part of the wider UN-Government of Lebanon inter-agency flash appeal to support more than one million people affected by the crisis. Humanitarian agencies continue to stress the urgent need for sustained international support to address worsening conditions and ongoing displacement across Lebanon.
