UNRWA Situation Report #2 on the Lebanon Emergency Response. All information valid as of 27/09/2024 at 15:00

Key Points

• UNRWA declared the activation of its Emergency Response in Lebanon on 24 September 2024, immediately opening two emergency shelters. Between 25 September and 27 September, UNRWA has opened five additional emergency shelters, bringing the total number of operational UNRWA emergency shelters to seven.
• A total of 1,424 individuals are registered in UNRWA emergency shelters, with numbers expected to further increase.
• The seven emergency shelters operated by UNRWA are distributed in the following areas: one in Beirut (Bir Hassan – Nabih Berry Educational Complex), three in the Saida Area (Siblin Training Centre, Nablus School, and Rafidya School), two in the North (Toubas School, and Amqa School, in Nahr el-Bared Camp), and one in the Beqaa (Jarmaq School, in Zahle District).

Overall Situation

• Education institutions in Lebanon are currently closed for learning, following the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s decision to postpone the start of the new academic year. Classes have been suspended in public schools until 14 October and private schools until 7 October 2024.[1]
• According to the latest IOM report, as of 25 September, a total of 211,319, including around 74,000 children, have been recorded to be internally displaced in Lebanon since October 2023. This marks a significant increase in the past week, with 118,466 individuals newly displaced (+89 per cent).
• The majority of internally displaced persons (IDPs) (73 per cent) originate from three districts, which span along the Southern border of Lebanon. Specifically, 42 per cent are from Bent Jbeil, 17 per cent are from Sour, and 14 per cent are from Marjaayoun. The remaining 27 per cent originate from 11 different districts, namely Baalbek, Baabda, El Nabatieh, Saida, Hasbaya, Beirut, El Hermel, Jezzine, West Bekaa, Zahle, and Chouf. The districts hosting the most newly displaced people during this period were Beirut, Chouf, Baabda, Saida, and Aley.[2]
• In the Beqaa Valley, airstrikes in the district of Baalbeck have led many families to flee to areas perceived to be safer in central and west Beqaa. There is reportedly a significant influx of Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS), and Syrian and Lebanese families crossing into Syria. The Syrian government has opened all border crossings to civilians arriving from Lebanon, a decision that has been welcomed by the United Nations through a joint statement from the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syrian crisis[3] on 26 September.
• A number of IDPs have reportedly sought shelter in Palestine Refugee camps, including Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestine Refugees. The majority are staying with relatives. IDP arrivals have been reported in Dbayeh camp north of Beirut, Mar Elias camp southwest of Beirut, Burj Barajneh and Shatila camps in southern Beirut, and Beddawi camp northeast of Tripoli. UNRWA is currently unable to verify the number of IDP arrivals in these camps.
• As of 27 September, 364 households, representing a total of 1,424 individuals, are registered in UNRWA emergency shelters across the country, marking an increase of 200 per cent since the last report of 25 September. Of these registered individuals, 35 per cent are Palestinian, 25 per cent are Syrian, and 50 per cent are Lebanese. Among the Palestinians, 60 per cent are Palestine Refugees from Lebanon (PRL) and 40 per cent are Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS).