Support for Crisis in Lebanon

Thank you for your support of this project, I'm writing to share some updates on ActionAid's response to the current conflict.

Since the start of the Iran war and subsequent ceasefire announcement on April 17th, violence has continued across Lebanon, underscoring persistent instability and humanitarian need. As of May 2, more than 1.04 million people have been internally displaced, including over 119,000 sheltering in collective sites. The conflict has resulted in at least 2,576 deaths and 7,962 injuries, with children and women accounting for a significant share of casualties. Women and girls represent 52% of the displaced population, many of whom are living in precarious conditions that heighten protection risks. Essential services are under severe strain, with over 150 attacks on healthcare reported, leading to facility closures and damage. Meanwhile, food insecurity has sharply worsened, with 1.24 million people facing crisis-level hunger or worse, particularly in southern districts.

The conflict remains concentrated in southern Lebanon, especially in South and El Nabatieh governorates, while also expanding into Baalbek–Hermel and parts of the Bekaa Valley, indicating a widening geographic impact.Displacement is most pronounced in southern areas along the Blue Line, while Beirut and Mount Lebanon are experiencing localized spillover, including in urban and peri-urban areas. This evolving conflict continues to drive displacement, disrupt livelihoods, and increase humanitarian needs across multiple regions.

ActionAid’s and our local partners in Lebanon are addressing urgent needs among displaced populations, host communities, and refugees. Immediate assistance includes ready-to-eat food, non-food items, hygiene kits (over 3,300 distributed to date), and integrated protection services like psychological support, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and case management.

Our  response is gradually expanding to include early recovery efforts like cash assistance, livelihood support, and youth-led initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience. As always, ActionAid places a strong focus on protection and gender-responsive programming to ensure targeted support for women, girls, and children.

Thank you for your continued support!

Lebanon continues to grapple with multifaceted crises marked by political paralysis, economic collapse, and the deterioration of essential public services. Now, more than 80% of the population lives in poverty, with record food insecurity, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare and education. Inflation, currency devaluation, and the collapse of the banking sector have devastated households and livelihoods, leaving millions struggling to meet their basic needs.

The impact of the crisis falls most heavily on vulnerable groups, including Lebanese host communities, Syrian and Palestinian refugees, migrant workers and women-headed households, to name a few. These groups face growing exclusion and protection risks. Humanitarain needs continue to escalate, underscoring the urgency of coordinated, community-driven responses to prevent further decline and support resilience.

In response, ActionAid and its partners are implementing targeted interventions to strengthen livelihoods and deliver emergency support. To date, more than 9,400 people have been reached.

• Through partnerships in Tripoli, North and West Beqaa, young women from Lebanese host and Syrian refugee communities are receiving vocational and digital training, micro-grants, and mentorship to foster self-reliance.
• In Sahl Akkar and Jabal Mohsen, ActionAid and our partners are providing emergency relief, including WASH, shelter rehabilitation, food, and hygiene kits.
• In collaboration with partners across Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli, we are also facilitating informed and voluntary returns for Syrian refugees through 500 information sessions, legal counselling, documentation assistance, and multipurpose cash support, which as so far benefitted more than 30,000 individuals directly and indirectly.

Thank you for your support of our efforts, espescially during these challenging times.