Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Mr. Imran Riza

Beirut, 27 November 2024

I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, offering a much-needed reprieve and hope for civilians who have endured over a year of immense suffering.

As the UN Secretary-General and the Special Coordinator for Lebanon have stated, this key step towards restoring safety and security for people on both sides of the Blue Line needs to be followed by the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006).

Civilians have faced unimaginable hardships— death, multiple displacements, the destruction of homes, healthcare, livelihoods, and heritage, and profound trauma.

The conflict has claimed over 3,800 lives, injured more than 15,800 people, and caused widespread destruction. Nearly 900,000 people have been displaced internally, alongside over half a million who have fled across the border. Many others are also affected.

This tragic chapter underscores the urgent need to uphold international humanitarian law. Civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists and civilian infrastructure must never be targets of war. Respect for humanitarian principles is essential to ensure the protection of lives.

While the ceasefire provides a welcome respite, the humanitarian needs remain staggering.

We will continue to support the Lebanese government and partners in order to try to assist all affected populations—those displaced, sheltering in collective shelters, or remaining in conflict-affected areas— leaving no one behind.

We are deeply grateful to donors for their generosity so far. The scale of needs remains enormous, and continued support is critical to address the continued humanitarian crisis and pave the way for recovery. Swift, safe, and unhindered access to all affected areas is essential to sustain life-saving assistance.

Together, we must work toward meeting these immense challenges and lay the groundwork for a stable future.

For more information, please contact the office of United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon:
Ms. Kristen Knutson, Head of Office - OCHA. E-mail: Knutson@un.org
Ms. Kawsar Fahs, Senior Communications Officer – OCHA. E-mail: Kawsar.fahs@un.org