Since 2 March 2026, the conflict in Lebanon displaced over 1.1 million people, including more than 390,000 children,1 placing additional strain on already fragile systems in a context already affected by an economic crisis and protracted displacement.
Under the framework of a ceasefire text that grants Israel the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks," the IDF has weaponized this clause to physically enforce this buffer.
After 45 days of hostilities, a ceasefire announced on 16 April – which was extended for an additional 3 weeks - offered brief hope for displaced families in Lebanon. Some returned, only to find destruction, lack of services, and ongoing insecurity.
Despite an announced ceasefire in place since 17 April, the displacement and humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is far from over. This is a deeply fragile moment, marked by ongoing Israeli airstrikes, shelling, demolitions, evacuation orders, bans on return to certain areas and movement restrictions that continue to drive repeated displacement and rapidly growing humanitarian needs.
Between 1 February and 31 March 2026, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 494 Palestinians killed and at least 489 injured in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire in place since 10 October 2025.
Despite generous support from our donors, 50 per cent of UNICEF’s response remained unfunded in 2025. Urgent additional support is needed in 2026 to sustain and scale lifesaving services for the most vulnerable children.
Two months on from the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy flows, shocks have rippled through economies worldwide.
In 2025, the MENA region faced overlapping crises including conflict, displacement, economic collapse, disease outbreaks, and climate shocks, placing children at risk and disrupting access to services.
Between January and March 2026, the Syria Protection Sector continued its coordinated, country-wide protection monitoring exercise at community level through its network of partners, using the harmonized Key Informant Interview (KII) tool.
Demonstrating strong operational agility and within less than 24 hours of mass displacement, WFP activated cash transfers and food assistance in shelters, reaching 440,000 conflict-affected individuals in March, while maintaining its regular programmes to reach in total 893,000 individuals.
In Yemen's northern Hajjah and Hudaydah governates, shrinking humanitarian funding and the withdrawal of services is leading to the closure or reduction of health services, leaving families with fewer options for care.
Lebanon continues to face a protracted crisis marked by economic instability, recurrent displacement, and the compounded impacts of conflict and climate-related shocks.
The conflict in the Middle East and wider region is obstructing key delivery routes for humanitarian supplies, delaying lifesaving shipments for at least 130,000 people in Yemen.
Ceasefire extended amid continued violations on the ground: Following U.S.‑facilitated talks in Washington, Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend the ceasefire for a further three weeks, with the stated aim of preventing escalation and creating space for continued diplomatic engagement.
As of 31 December, over 1.3 million Syrians have returned back home since December 2024, with more than 3.7 million registered Syrian refugees continuing to reside in host countries in the region.
Across Lebanon, women and girls navigate continued displacement, loss, and returns home – often multiple times – as uncertainty remains part of daily life.
