UNICEF Lebanon Humanitarian Situation Report No. 4, 23 September - 22 October 2024

Highlights

• Children and families in Lebanon continue to be directly affected by the deteriorating humanitarian crisis and violent intensification of hostilities across the country. Extensive damage to civilian infrastructure has been reported, with increasing disruptions to the provision of public services. Nearly 70 percent of all casualties in the conflict have occurred since mid-September 2024, including reports of more than 1,088 children injured, and 155 children killed.
• National authorities have opened more than 1,090 collective shelters hosting over 190,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) – half of whom are women and children. Approximately 84 per cent of shelters are full.
• In the first month of mass displacement, UNICEF supported 584 collective shelters hosting 101,492 IDPs with relief items and services, including access to water, hygiene, health, and child protection. UNICEF has also supported the provision of essential services through public systems, including public water facilities serving over 370,000 people.
• Public schools remain closed for learning due to the postponement of the new school year – nearly 60 per cent of all shelters are in public schools. UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Education to ensure learning continues despite the multiple crises.

Situation in Numbers

• 350,000 children in need of humanitarian assistance
• 1,000,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance
• 190,000+ IDPs in collective shelters
• 11,800+ people injured, including reports of 1,088 children
• 2,500+ deaths, including reports of 155 children

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon continues to directly affect the lives of children and families as the intensity and range of hostilities expand across the country. Extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, businesses, and properties has been reportedii , with increasing disruptions to public services, including 15 hospitals damaged(iii), 100 of 207 Primary Health Centres (PHCCs) and dispensaries in conflict areas closed(iv), and 28 water facilities damaged, affecting the water supply for over 360,000 people.(v) While private schools have started gradually reopening as of 7 October 2024, all public schools remain closed for learning due to the postponement of the 2024-2025 school year to 4 November by the Ministry of Education, as nearly 60 per cent of all shelters are located in public schools.

As of 22 October 2024, over 2,500 deaths were registered, including a reported 155 children, 517 women, 100 health workers and two UN staff, as well as injuries to over 11,800 people, including 1,088 children, 2,280 women(vi) and five UNIFIL peacekeepers since October 2023. More than 10,700 strikes have been reported across Lebanese Governorates, including Beirut, and military evacuation orders have been widely disseminated across the country(vii) , leading to the evacuation of at least 10 hospitals.(viii)

The Lebanese Government continues to coordinate efforts to support an estimated 1.2 million people affected by the conflict. As of 22 October 2024, authorities had opened 1,095 collective shelters hosting more than 191,000 IDPs – over half of them women and children. Of these centres, 917 (84 per cent) had already reached their full capacity. An additional 11 UNRWA sites are hosting nearly 3,750 displaced individuals, 52 per cent of whom are women. (ix)

More than 490,000 people fled Lebanon to Syria from 23 September to 22 October 2024, including 147,608 Lebanese and 343,404 Syrians, according to the Lebanese General Security Directorate. (x) Additionally, 16,727 Lebanese are reported to have arrived in Iraq. (xi)

During the reporting period, no new cases of cholera have been detected following the case in Akkar confirmed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on 16 October 2024. UNICEF has supported national and sub-national efforts under MoPH’s leadership in implementing prevention and containment measures.

(iii) Ministry of Public Health – reported casualties as of 22 October 2024
(iv) WHO https://hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail20.com/t/d-l-euuhidt-jyy…
(v) https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/increasing-bombardment-damaging-e…
(vi) Lebanese Ministry of Public Health Press Release
(vii) UN News: Lebanon Crisis https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155726
(viii) WHO Situation Report Lebanon # 3 situation-report-3.pdf (who.int)
(ix) UNRWA SitRep #9 https://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/unrwa-situation-report-9-lebano…
(x ) Lebanese Presidency of the Council of Ministers – Situation Report #25

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