Lebanon – Displacement escalated as strikes intensified: thousands were forced to leave their homes within minutes with nothing

With the intensification of Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, the southern suburb of the capital, Beirut, and the Bekaa region during the past days, waves of internal displacement accelerated, and the UNHCR warned of increasing humanitarian needs day after day.

In an interview with UN News, Dalal Harb, spokeswoman for UNHCR in Lebanon, said that the past four days have witnessed the displacement of large numbers of residents, many of whom were forced to leave their homes within just a few minutes.

Dalal Harb added that the intense strikes led to successive waves of displacement from southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, as well as the southern suburb of Beirut, noting that the numbers continue to rise on a daily basis.

Harb explained that with the issuance of widespread evacuation orders for the southern suburb of Beirut today (Thursday), the number of displaced families has increased significantly. According to media estimates, there are currently thousands of people in the city center without safe shelters.

She said that among these displaced people are entire families, including children, women and the elderly, all of whom are in need of urgent protection and assistance.

Emergency response within 24 hours

The spokeswoman indicated that the Commission quickly mobilized its efforts immediately after the strikes escalated, as its teams began working on the ground within twenty-four hours of the attacks beginning to intensify.

She explained that the response is being led by the Lebanese state and in cooperation with the government, relevant ministries and the Disaster Management Unit, with the aim of providing support to displaced families who have taken refuge in shelter centers allocated by the authorities.

These centers are mainly schools, government buildings and other facilities that have been equipped to receive large numbers of displaced people.

Dalal Harb pointed out that many families were forced to flee their homes very quickly without being able to take any of their basic belongings, which makes them in dire need of immediate support and basic aid.

Basic aid to protect dignity

Dalal Harb explained that UNHCR provides basic humanitarian aid to the displaced, including blankets, mattresses, and night lamps, in addition to other necessary supplies that help families spend the night in conditions that preserve the minimum level of dignity and safety.

She stressed that this aid particularly targets the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, and everyone who needs urgent support.

Thousands of beneficiaries in various regions

Dalal Harb said that since UNHCR began mobilizing its efforts during the first 24 hours of the escalation of strikes and evacuation orders, its teams have been able to distribute more than 45,000 basic and emergency relief kits.

About 13,000 displaced people have benefited from this aid in shelter centers spread across various regions of Lebanon, including the Bekaa, Beirut, and the south, in addition to areas in the north.

But the spokeswoman warned that humanitarian needs would increase if the escalation continued, noting that every new strike leads to the displacement of more families.

Urgent appeal for international support

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees urgently calls for dialogue and de-escalation.

Dalal Harb also called on the international community to provide additional and continuous support to UNHCR to enable it to continue its humanitarian work and respond quickly to the needs of affected families.

Harb said that the current time is very critical for Lebanon and it is imperative to stand by it.