Lebanon crisis

The increase in intensity of the Israeli bombing and the geographical expansion in recent weeks has led to massive displacement, with many families displaced for several times. More than a million people are reported to be displaced in the country and more than 1,900 have already been killed, according to the authorities—surpassing the Israel-Lebanon war in 2006. 

The current situation compounds an ongoing humanitarian crisis, exacerbating pre-existing needs. Like other sectors in the country, the healthcare system was already overburdened by the economic crisis, which led to the emigration of many of its medical staff and compromised the general capacity and resources of medical facilities. Local health centres, already at capacity, are faced with increasing pressure while they try to contend with the growing medical needs of displaced people.

Bombing of Lebanon

Conflict escalation
Israel's bombing of multiple areas of Lebanon on Monday 23 September has killed more than 1,900 and forced more than a million people to flee.

Displaced people
Lebanon currently hosts more than 1.5 million refugees—the most per capita in the world.

The current situation in Lebanon

As of October 2024

The scale of displacement in Lebanon largely surpasses the country’s ability to house the displaced. According to the Lebanese authorities, over 600 out of an allocated 800 shelters are already full. The lack of shelters to house all the displaced are forcing many to sleep in the streets and further exacerbates the discrimination and exclusion of minority groups, particularly Syrian refugees and migrant workers. Dire water and sanitation conditions as well as overcrowding in the shelters create a fertile ground for the spread of infectious diseases, such as diarrhoea, skin infections, etc., highlighting the urgency to address the shelter, hygiene, clean drinking water, and medical needs of the internally displaced people.

Most people have left everything behind and can’t go back to collect any of their clothes, food or medical prescriptions. Many of them have also lost their sources of income. On top of access to continuous medical care and mental health support, they need essential items, including mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits. The current situation compounds an ongoing humanitarian crisis, exacerbating pre-existing needs. Lebanon’s healthcare system, like other sectors in the country, was already overburdened by the economic crisis that has led to the emigration of many of its medical staff and compromised the general capacity and resources of medical facilities. Local health centres, that are already at capacity, are faced with increasing pressure while they try to contend with the growing medical needs of displaced people. According to national authorities, the number of people having fled to Syria has exceeded 300,000, including Syrian and Lebanese nationals. This cross-border displacement highlights the escalating regional impact of the conflict. 

The ongoing conflict already had a devasting impact on civilian and civilian infrastructures, including medical facilities and healthcare workers: According to the World Health Organization, between 17th and 28th September 2024, 38 health workers were killed. In addition, six hospitals and 40 primary health centres have been forced to close, with ongoing airstrikes and road damage severely restricting the movement of people and humanitarian access to several affected areas. Insecurity Insight identified 18 incidents of violence against or obstruction of healthcare between 23 and 25 September. Prior to the escalation of the conflict, 51 health workers had already been killed and five hospitals damaged since 8 October 2023.

MSF is gravely concerned about Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon, much of which is taking place in densely populated urban areas. We call for the immediate deescalation of hostilities to prevent further suffering, injury, and loss of life.

Lebanon

MSF mobile medical teams provide primary healthcare and medications for internally displaced people stranded in Ramlet al Bayda, along Beirut's shores as collective shelters across the country report reaching full capacity. © Salam Daoud/MSF 

How is MSF responding in Lebanon? 

Since the bombings on 23 September, some of our staff in south Lebanon, Beirut and other parts of the country have left their homes, with people fleeing and spending hours in traffic as they seek refuge in safer locations. In south Lebanon and Baalbek-Hermel—areas that continue to experience heavy aerial strikes—MSF staff reported bombardments close to their homes. Many of our staff there were still sheltering in their homes, while Israeli warplanes continued to fly overhead and throughout the night.

We have reopened our clinic in Baalbek-Hermel to provide patients with much-needed medications for their chronic conditions. Simultaneously, our mental health helplines are receiving over 60 calls a day from people experiencing rising mental health needs.

Providing healthcare

Our mobile medical units are providing primary and mental healthcare at shelters for those in need. MSF has deployed a total of 10 mobile medical units (MMU) across Lebanon providing primary care and mental health support to internally displaced persons. In addition, we are running mental health helplines and offering psychological support to displaced and affected individuals during this time of distress. We continue to coordinate closely with our partners and hospital networks, offering support where possible as the situation develops. MSF has provided mass casualty management and trauma care trainings to healthcare workers and hospitals located in the frontline, as well as medical and non-medical supplies to hospitals to cope with the influx of patients and wounded.

Distributing essentials

Our teams are distributing essential items like mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, food and drinking water to collective shelters across the country. MSF is also strengthening water and sanitation conditions in shelters through water trucking.

What we're calling for in Lebanon:

In light of the already high number of civilians casualties, both killed and wounded, including numerous children, women and healthcare workers:

  1. We remind all parties that civilians and civilian infrastructures must be protected at all times. Protection of medical staff, medical facilities and patients must also be guaranteed at all times.
     
  2. Access for humanitarian supplies and aid workers to enter the country must be guaranteed. Humanitarian and medical assistance must be able to reach those in need across the country, and in particular in most affected areas.
     
  3. We also call on international actors to step up their efforts to reduce the tensions in the region and prevent further suffering, injury and loss of life, as well as a further deterioration of the already precarious humanitarian situation in Lebanon.

Our history in Lebanon

Lebanon has previously been referred to as the Switzerland of the Middle East because of its financial power and diversity. Today, the country is suffering from a deteriorating humanitarian situation. Civil war in Syria has put a huge strain on its neighbours, including Lebanon, which now hosts over 1.5 million refugees—the most per capita in the world.

MSF has been working in Lebanon since 1976, when we began our response to the 15-year civil war. We've maintained a continuous presence in Lebanon since 2008, ensuring access to free healthcare for the most vulnerable communities, including Lebanese citizens, displaced populations, refugees and migrant workers. Today, we continue to adapt our long-term activities to cover the needs of Lebanese people, as well as refugees and migrants, who often have limited access to medical care.

Healthcare services provided by our teams spans from reproductive health support and mental health and psychosocial support services to the treatment of non-communicable diseases and routine vaccinations for children. In addition, our strategy involves strengthening access to care through reinforcing the capacities of healthcare providers at both local and national levels, aligning with our vision of fostering a sustainable, long-term response. This entails extensive staff training, the donation of essential medicines, incorporating mental health and social work services into these healthcare facilities, medical supplies, and the initiation of capacity-building programs for a diverse range of healthcare facilities throughout Lebanon. Additionally, we are partnering with local organisations and civil society initiatives to amplify community-led initiatives to address rapidly evolving needs.

 

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As an independent and impartial medical humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières can respond rapidly to emergency situations and deliver urgent medical treatment to people in need, no matter who they are.
 
By making a donation, you can help ensure that MSF staff can provide medical assistance during times of crises where it is needed most—both in Lebanon, and around the world.
 

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