Following the collapse of the Syrian government on 8 December, the country has experienced a mix of optimism and disorder. It is now grappling with unstable security, an escalating humanitarian crisis, and widespread displacement.
Lebanon stands at a crossroads. The cessation of hostilities has allowed nearly 829,000 displaced people to return to their cadasters of origin as of 18 December, but for many, the journey back does not meet the minimum requirements for a secure and sustainable return.
Some 59 Palestinian-run schools, serving approximately 6,600 students and at least 715 teachers, face partial or full demolition orders or stop-work orders.
At this historic moment of opportunity for Syria, many refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) are considering returning home, and thousands of people are now arriving from neighbouring countries every day – but after almost 14 years of violent crisis many have little or nothing to return to.
UNHCR is engaging with thousands of refugees in neighboring countries, often with daily contact through helplines, surveys, focus group discussions, and other communications channels, listening to their concerns, providing up-to-date information, and understanding their perceptions and intentions around return.
MAG teams in Lebanon have launched an emergency response to address new contamination arising from two months of intensive aerial bombardments and more than a year of sustained lower level conflict in the south of the country.
Following the ceasefire, the restoration of economic activity, health services, and improved humanitarian access are expected to reduce the demand for food and health support. However, infrastructure rehabilitation and winter heating are expected to remain priority needs in areas affected by damage.
Over the past 14 years, more than 13 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, and 90% of people inside Syria require some form of humanitarian assistance. The recent developments across Syria will impact millions of people’s lives both inside the country and within the region.
The situation in the Gaza Strip continues to be dire, with the northern governorate in critical need of essentials like food, water, and medical supplies.
Over the past 14 months, more than 44,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in Gaza. Nearly all of Gaza’s residents have been displaced — many multiple times.
Only 23 per cent of Gaza’s shelter needs have been met this autumn, leaving nearly one million Palestinians vulnerable to exposure during the harsh winter months, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council-led Shelter Cluster in Palestine.
The Household-Level Rapid Vulnerability and Needs Assessment (RNA) was conducted to identify the most urgent needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Lebanon, focusing on food security, shelter, healthcare, water, and protection, to inform targeted humanitarian interventions.
In light of the evolving regional context, IOM is closely monitoring internal and cross-border movement dynamics, assessing changing needs, and continues to address the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict.
Since the onset of cross-border attacks on October 8, 2023, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have significantly intensified with nearly 100,000 internally displaced people in Lebanon because of the conflict.
Hostilities continue to be reported in parts of Syria, while civil departments and public service institutions have resumed operations in most governorates.
This report is produced by OCHA Lebanon in collaboration with humanitarian partners and the Inter Sector Coordination Group. It covers the period from 6 – 12 December 2024.
The Humanitarian Country Team in Lebanon, led by the Humanitarian Coordinator and supplementing national efforts, continues to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the increase in hostilities in Lebanon.
Multiple overlapping population movements in Syria and neighbouring countries, including Lebanon, have occurred following changes to the Syrian government on 7 December 2024 and a series of attacks across Syria.
