DRC Lebanon Emergency Response Update #3: 23 September – 13 October 2024

CONTEXT UPDATE

According to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in 2,229 fatalities and 10,380 injuries across Lebanon, with 57% of the deaths and 73% of the injuries occurring in just 23 days, between September 17 and October 10.

The rapid escalation of violence has led to several critical incidents in recent weeks. Since October 2023, 100 Lebanese health workers have been killed in airstrikes, including 72 deaths since 17 September 2024. On 03 October alone, 28 health workers were killed in Lebanon. On October 9, an airstrike targeted a building sheltering displaced families, causing four fatalities and raising concerns about the safety of internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking refuge in areas previously considered safe. The same day, five civil defence workers were killed in another airstrike. Additionally, on October 10, 11, and 13, Israeli forces carried out repeated strikes on UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, injuring five peacekeepers and damaging UN facilities.

The conflict has triggered massive displacement, with over 1 million displaced individuals within Lebanon, and more than 276,000 people (30% Lebanese and 70% Syrian) have fled the violence to Syria according to UNHCR. As Lebanese authorities are issuing entry bans for Syrian refugees leaving Lebanon, many Syrians are opting for irregular crossings to maintain the possibility of returning to Lebanon. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials have reignited calls for mass returns of Syrians, citing these movements as evidence of Syria's suitability for return. UNHCR has also reported an increase in attempted onward movements to Cyprus, with two boats intercepted by the Lebanese Armed Forces on October 11, carrying 99 passengers, mostly Syrian nationals.

As of October 12, Lebanese authorities have designated 1,032 collective sites nationwide, with 81% at full capacity, housing over 187,000 Lebanese IDPs. With displacement numbers increasing and rental costs rising1 , authorities are opening new shelters daily. However, many IDPs are believed to be sheltering in self-settled sites, which includes open spaces, privately or publicly owned buildings without prior formal approval from the owner or authorities, often in extremely precarious conditions and where humanitarian organizations have limited access and oversight, raising serious concerns about the adequacy, safety, and management of informal shelters.