The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and the ICRC’s response

Key operations include:

Providing relief to internally displaced people

With thousands of families displaced and seeking shelter, the ICRC has focused on supplying the most basic relief items to support these vulnerable populations. Between 17 September and 1 November 2024, we have distributed 39,700 blankets and 19,000 mattresses to displaced people across Lebanon. These items help to provide comfort and dignity to families who have left behind their homes and belongings. Our teams have also delivered 81,600 hygiene kits, 76,000 food parcels, and 16,500 kitchen sets to help people maintain a degree of self-sufficiency in preparing meals for their families.

Supporting critical health-care facilities

The strain on Lebanon’s healthcare system has been immense, with hospitals and health centers facing shortages of fuel, medical supplies, and equipment. In response, the ICRC has delivered 186,800 liters of fuel to various healthcare facilities to keep essential services running. Additionally, we supplied 300 mobility and walking aids to physical rehabilitation centers, aiming to assist those with mobility impairments and provide continuity in rehabilitation care.

To address urgent medical needs, the ICRC has provided 6 weapon-wound treatment kits to hospitals to assist in treating 300 patients. Drugs and medical supplies were also distributed to 29 primary healthcare centers and 23 hospitals, helping to alleviate shortages and support ongoing treatment efforts. In addition, we supplied medical materials to 11 emergency medical service centers to ensure frontline responders have the resources needed to provide timely care.

Improving access to clean water 

The ongoing situation has created additional challenges in maintaining access to clean water, especially in areas with high concentrations of displaced people. The ICRC has been working to address this by providing over 100,000 liters of fuel to power water infrastructure, installing six new pumps, and deploying two mobile generators to keep water systems functional. These efforts have helped improve access to clean water for nearly 300,000 people, which will be critical for overall public health.

Improving living conditions for detainees

In addition to supporting displaced populations and healthcare facilities, the ICRC has been actively working to improve living conditions for detainees in Lebanon. In eight places of detention, we have undertaken generator maintenance and repairs to ensure that basic services such as lighting and ventilation continue to function. These improvements have benefited 5,150 detainees, helping to provide more humane conditions.

Looking forward

The ICRC is committed to providing ongoing support in Lebanon and reminding the parties involved in the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law. We are closely monitoring the situation and remain dedicated to delivering life-saving assistance across Lebanon. As the situation develops, we call on the international community to stand with Lebanon and support efforts to alleviate the immense suffering of those affected by the conflict.