Lebanon: An expanded humanitarian appeal to support those affected by the crisis during the winter months

The extension covers the period between January 25 and March and builds on the original flash appeal launched last October, which aimed to raise $426 million. The extended appeal will complement the Lebanon Response Plan – which serves as a basic framework for humanitarian and stabilization responses in the country – by addressing immediate humanitarian needs.

Priorities include food aid, winter supplies, emergency repairs, civilian protection, and addressing gaps in healthcare, water and education infrastructure.

During the announcement today, Tuesday, at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Al-Shami, said that his government is committed to leading a response. Coordinated, transparent and fair.” Adding: “Our goal is to focus together on meeting urgent humanitarian needs in an efficient and effective manner, integrating with longer-term recovery planning efforts. However, the size and scope of this crisis exceeds available resources, which necessarily calls for international support to sustain and expand response efforts.”

The conflict, which began in October 2023 and intensified to devastating proportions between September and November 2024, has killed more than 4,000 people, injured 16,000 others, and displaced more than a million people in Lebanon. Even after the cessation of hostilities, hundreds of thousands of people are today struggling to return to their homes amid widespread destruction of buildings, infrastructure and basic services.

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, said that additional funding is urgently needed not only to support life-saving efforts, but also “To prevent further deterioration of an already dire situation.” He said that while the cessation of hostilities offers hope, “more than 125,000 people remain displaced, and hundreds of thousands face enormous challenges in rebuilding their lives.”

While the Minister of Environment and Coordinator of the Government Emergency Committee, Nasser Yassin, stressed the importance of humanitarian aid, he said that Lebanese institutions and the public sector also need significant support. “To prevent the collapse of basic services and living sectors, and to meet the urgent needs of the population.” He added that municipalities and local authorities also urgently need urgent funding to maintain their operations, “In view of the burdens and responsibilities you have provided and the heavy costs and losses you have incurred in the war.”

As Lebanon continues to deal with the consequences of the conflict, the Lebanese government and the humanitarian community have urged the international community to intensify its support for the response. OCHA said that sustainable funding and resources are essential to achieve stability, provide assistance to those in need, and enable Lebanon to recover from this crisis. “Which is considered the most difficult in its modern history.”