UNRWA Situation Report #9 on the Lebanon Emergency Response

A displaced family fleeing the escalating conflict in Lebanon has sought refuge at UNRWAs Toubas Displacement Emergency Shelter in Nahr El-Bared camp, northern Lebanon. 2024 UNRWA photo by Maysoun Mustafa

Key points

UNRWA activated its Emergency Response in Lebanon on 24 September. The Agency is currently operating 11 emergency shelters across the country.

As of 21 October 2024, a total of 3,757 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are registered in UNRWA shelters, marking a decrease of 72 individuals since the last report. Reports indicate that some people from the Tyre area have sought to return to the south in recent days.

UNRWA is working with a range of partner organisations (community based, local NGOs and international NGOs) in all its emergency shelters to provide a full range of services, including hot meals and psychosocial support activities. In its emergency response, UNRWA has relied on the dedication and commitment of partners on the ground.

Overall situation

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports a total of 809,043 IDPs (52 per cent female and 48 per cent male) as of 20 October 2024. New displacements continue to be reported and recorded.

During the reporting period, Israeli Forces’ airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and on villages in southern and eastern Lebanon continued. Casualties are on the rise as Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has reported 2,412 deaths and 11,285[1] injuries . Vulnerable populations are the worst affected.

Education institutions in Lebanon remain closed, with the start of the school year postponed to 4 November following an announcement from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE).

As of 21 October, 1,074 households, representing a total of 3,757 people, are registered in UNRWA emergency shelters across the country marking a decrease for the third consecutive reporting period. UNRWA is monitoring this decrease in numbers, noting that some IDPs have returned to their homes in Tyre, particularly from shelters in the Saida area. Factors influencing this movement include perceptions of improved safety in camps in the south, challenges in adapting to conditions of life in the shelters, and the need to protect livelihoods. This requires further monitoring to assess potential protection risks for returnees.

Partnerships

In all areas UNRWA coordinates with local partners to provide additional services to displaced people. At each emergency shelter, a co-support partner has been identified. These co-support partners include Nabaa, Tadamon, Beit Atfal El-Somoud, Najdeh, Mobader, and the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts (ARCPA).

UNRWA has made psychosocial support (PSS) and case management services available to all nationalities in the emergency shelters in coordination with co-support partners such as Najdeh, Nabaa, Tadamon, ARCPA, Mobader, and Beit Atfal El Somoud.

UNRWA ensures the provision of food through the distribution of hot meals and ready-to-eat parcels, in cooperation with partner organisations such as Initiate, Taawun, Mwsasat, Naaba, and Shield.

UNRWA is also coordinating closely with UN Agencies and international organisations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Save the Children International (SCI), Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), and Action Against Hunger (AAH).

Programmes and operational response

On 3 October, UNRWA launched a Flash Appeal for US$ 27.3 million to address the urgent humanitarian needs resulting from the ongoing escalation in Lebanon, in addition to the displacement of some populations from Lebanon into Syria, over the next 90 days.

Health

The further deterioration of the security situation across the country has impacted UNRWA's health care capacities. As of 21 October, out of 27 UNRWA health centres, 13 are operational and 14 are closed. All clinics in the Tyre area remain closed due to security concerns. In the Beirut area, efforts are underway to keep clinics open at least a few days a week. The Shatila clinic is currently under assessment by security for potential reopening. The UNRWA Health and Security teams collaborate daily to determine the status of clinics.

UNRWA teams are undertaking regular vaccination for children and youth in emergency shelters on a daily basis.  

On 16 October, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed a cholera case, highlighting the escalating health risks amidst ongoing conflict. Follow-up actions are being taken by UNRWA health teams for the early detection of any infectious disease outbreaks in emergency shelters. An action plan is being implemented in cooperation with UNICEF.

Education  

As part of its Education in Emergencies (EiE) programme, UNRWA Education team is implementing a three-phased approach: Phase I is currently providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and recreational activities in emergency shelters; Phase II will focus on identifying student and staff relocations for non-formal education; and Phase III will transition to formal education when conditions allow.

The UNRWA Education team is providing psychosocial support services to children, youth, and adults across 11 shelters in Lebanon, including psychosocial first aid, counseling, awareness sessions on gender-based violence (GBV) and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), as well as recreational and educational activities. Partners in the emergency shelters are supporting these efforts in Nahr el-Bared (Tadamoun, Beit Atfal el Sumoud, and Nabee), Saida (Jana, Tadamoun, and Nabee), and the Beirut area (Tadamoun).

Since the onset of the conflict, UNRWA has provided approximately 3,200 people, including over 2,200 children, with psychosocial support (PSS) services, in addition to distributing 1,906 sets of PSS kits, which include items such as art supplies, puzzles, toys, and storybooks. During the period from 17 to 20 October, a total of 730 people accessed psychosocial support services, including 624 children (328 girls and 296 boys).

Protection

Misinformation and fake news are circulating widely, impacting the protection situation. Reports indicate that fake evacuation orders are being received by the population, leading to movement and displacement before the information can be verified. UNRWA follows a strict protocol in cooperation with OCHA and UNDSS to verify all information and evacuation orders.

On 18 October, UNRWA Protection team and Relief and Social Support (RSS) team held community engagement coaching sessions with social workers, and school counselors. The sessions aimed to enhance IDP participation and engagement in UNRWA programming, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their needs are integrated into the response.

On 21 October, the UNRWA Protection Specialist led a technical training session for all social workers on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management in emergency shelters.

Sanitation Services/WASH

Water shortage in the north over the past weeks has been addressed by the UNRWA Camps Infrastructure team through water trucking and direct connections between camp wells and emergency shelters. The available water supply is now reported to be sufficient for all emergency shelters in the north.

Significant improvements in solid waste management have been reported across all sites, as many municipalities have resumed garbage collection duties. Meanwhile, UNRWA has contracted additional vendors and recruited more workforce, allowing the Agency to manage the situation and respond to ongoing needs.

UNRWA teams are also conducting maintenance and repairs across all 11 emergency shelters. During the reporting period, the UNRWA sanitation team conducted cleaning of sewer lines and manholes in all emergency shelters to prevent blockages and reduce flooding risks.

Logistics

Community kitchen preparations are underway and nearing completion. In the Beqaa and Saida areas, all materials have been procured and are due to be installed. The setup of the kitchen in Nahr el-Bared requires additional time due to physical adaptations of the shelter. For each community kitchen, a team has been identified, and a 14-day menu has been developed in collaboration with the partner WFP.