In the early hours of Monday, 23 September, the Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation, targeting dozens of towns across Lebanon's governorates, including South Lebanon, Nabatieh, Baalbek-Hermel, and the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut. The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has intensified with these operations, causing waves of displacement as residents from impacted areas, as well as parts of Mount Lebanon, were forced to flee amid relentless bombardments.
The renewed airstrikes on 27 September further escalated the conflict in Lebanon, leading to a mass exodus from these areas as people sought safer ground. Many families have had to relocate multiple times since clashes first began in October 2023, often leaving with little time to gather even basic items. The situation has put a significant strain on Lebanon's humanitarian resources, with overcrowded shelters and a growing need for essential supplies, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention and support.
The Overwhelming Scale of Displacement
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has caused unprecedented levels of displacement, vastly outpacing the country’s capacity to house those forced to flee. According to Lebanese authorities, over 600 out of the 800 allocated shelters are already full, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) with no option but to seek refuge on the streets. This shelter shortage amplifies the challenges faced by minority groups, such as Syrian refugees and migrant workers, who often experience discrimination and exclusion in accessing shelter and support services.
Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in the available shelters are leading to a rise in infectious diseases, such as diarrhoea and skin infections. The urgent need for clean drinking water, safe sanitation, and medical services is critical to preventing a worsening public health crisis among Lebanon’s displaced communities.
With many IDPs fleeing without basic necessities, there is a significant demand for essential items, such as clothing, hygiene kits, mattresses, and medical prescriptions. This overwhelming need adds pressure to Lebanon's already strained healthcare system, which has been destabilized by a years-long economic crisis.
Lebanon's Healthcare System at Breaking Point
Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure, already weakened by the ongoing economic downturn, is now under severe pressure. The economic crisis, which has led to an exodus of healthcare workers and left more than half of the Lebanese population living below the poverty line, has severely limited the capacity of local health centres. These facilities are struggling to meet the demands of a growing population of displaced individuals, whose medical needs are escalating alongside the conflict.
The intensifying airstrikes have led to further disruptions in healthcare access, with six hospitals and 40 primary health centres forced to close as of October 2024. Airstrikes and road damage make it increasingly difficult for both civilians and humanitarian organisations to reach these affected areas. In Baalbek-Hermel, an underserved area in Lebanon, ongoing bombings forced Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to close two primary healthcare clinics they had operated for years.
Mounting Challenges for Civilians and Displaced People
The scale of displacement extends beyond Lebanon's borders, with national authorities estimating over 300,000 people, including both Syrian and Lebanese nationals, have crossed into Syria to escape the violence. This cross-border displacement signals a rapidly intensifying regional crisis, as both civilians and infrastructure are increasingly targeted in the ongoing conflict.
Since mid-September, 38 health workers have been killed, and multiple medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed. With continuous bombing and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, access to safe shelter, medical care, and essential services is becoming more scarce by the day.
As Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon intensifies, the humanitarian crisis is deepening, with nearly one million people displaced and over 1,900 killed, as reported by authorities. Many displaced families have been forced to relocate multiple times as safety remains elusive. The absence of essential items for daily life—such as bedding, hygiene supplies, and food—places an immense strain on displaced individuals, who face rapidly deteriorating living conditions in shelters across Lebanon.
In addition to physical needs, mental health support is in high demand, as a sense of fear and instability pervades daily life. MSF has reported a substantial increase in calls to their mental health helpline, with over 100 calls daily from people coping with the emotional toll of displacement, loss, and constant threat of violence.
Mental Health of Displaced Children, Dr Aida, treats children who are psychologically affected by the war.
Urgent Needs and MSF’s Humanitarian Response
In response to the crisis, MSF has deployed mobile medical teams across multiple regions in Lebanon, including Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South (Saida), North (Tripoli), Bekaa, and Akkar. These teams provide essential medical consultations, psychological first aid, and distribute essential items such as hygiene kits, blankets, and mattresses. To address the worsening water and sanitation crisis, MSF has also deployed water trucks to shelters and provided hot meals and drinking water to displaced families.
To support the healthcare infrastructure, MSF is providing fuel to hospitals, donating trauma kits, and supplying other medical resources. Since November 2023, 10 tons of supplies have been pre-positioned in hospitals throughout the country, and over 100 healthcare workers have been trained in trauma care and mass casualty response.
The toll on civilians, including healthcare workers, remains devastating. MSF calls on all parties in the conflict to ensure the safety of civilians and to uphold the sanctity of medical facilities. It is crucial that humanitarian organizations have unhindered access to deliver life-saving assistance to those in need, particularly in the hardest-hit areas.
The international community is urged to amplify its efforts to ease tensions in the region, preventing further suffering and supporting Lebanon's already fragile humanitarian landscape. Access to essential resources, protection for civilians, and pathways for international support remain critical to alleviating the impact of conflict and displacement in Lebanon.
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