UNHCR Lebanon Emergency Flash Update (3 December 2024)
Key highlights
• In support of the Governmentled emergency response, the humanitarian community launched a Flash Appeal to enable partners to rapidly deliver humanitarian assistance. The appeal seeks $425.7 million to assist 1 million people affected by the crisis until the end of the year.
• As part of the Interagency response, UNHCR has released an Emergency Appeal for Lebanon, urgently seeking to $111 million to scale up the response and cover immediate needs across all vulnerable population groups, including Lebanese and refugee.
• UNHCR Emergency Appeal for Lebanon includes increased requirements for procurement and distribution of core relief items, cash assistance and support to institutions in the response.
• UNHCR continues calling on all actors to maintain and apply humanitarian principles and allow equal access to assistance.
Situation overview
• A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on 26 November in the evening, effective as of 27 November at 4 am.
• Since the ceasefire, about 578,641 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were reported in movement toward their places of origin (Source: IOM/DTM round 65 Flash update).
• Many displaced are unable to return to communities due to damage and destruction, as well as restrictions imposed by the Israeli Army.
• Since October 2023 and up until 29 November UNHCR had identified over 105,000 refugees who are secondarily displaced, including over 90,000 since 23 September only, 99 per cent being Syrian refugees.
• Since the ceasefire, about 7,885 people1 are estimated to have crossed from Lebanon to Syria, with around 56 per cent Syrians and 42 per cent Lebanese nationals. Arrivals into Syria have continued but at much reduced rates following the ceasefire. The primary reason of crossing seemingly remains to be reaching and accompanying their families who had previously fled to Syria back into to Lebanon.
• The overall situation remains dynamic, with ongoing movements and challenges in obtaining precise data on returns. Massive destruction indicate that reconstruction would be the biggest challenge moving forward, particularly as Lebanon was already struggling with an unprecedented financial and economic crisis before the conflict erupted.
• Since 23 September, over 425,000 Lebanese and refugees affected are being assisted with some type of cash assistance as part of the emergency response, and over 522,400 individuals overall since October 2023.
• UNHCR emergency response continues while monitoring the evolving situation. UNHCR remains committed to coordinate with authorities and other humanitarian actors in the next phase.
