CHRONICLES OF DISPLACEMENT

2 March

Al Jazeera reports that Hezbollah launched a barrage of missiles and drones overnight toward an Israeli military site near Haifa, marking its first attack in more than a year, in retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.

Israel responds with intense airstrikes targeting southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beirut’s southern suburbs, and issued evacuation warnings for more than 50 villages in the South and the western Bekaa.

Euronews reports that the IDF sent civilians mobile alerts to evacuate and warned them of imminent strikes on specific buildings, heightening fear and psychological stress. Consequently, heavy traffic congestion from fleeing civilians led many to reconsider leaving, with some choosing to stay in their homes despite the ongoing danger and drones overhead.

UNICEF reports that an estimated 29,000 people, including around 9,000 children, have been displaced, adding to the approximately 62,000 internally displaced people already recorded. Lebanese authorities have opened more than 142 shelters across the country, most of them in public schools, with 49 already at full capacity. 

The National reports that one displacement case involved a journey from Beirut’s southern suburbs to central Beirut taking about three hours instead of the usual ten minutes, as roads became heavily congested with thousands of residents fleeing the bombardment.

Campspot reports that residents of Beirut’s Shatila Palestinian camp were also forced to displacement following intensified strikes nearby.

Al Jazeera reports that displacement from southern Lebanon caused extreme traffic congestion, with some residents spending up to seven hours traveling to Saida on routes that normally take about 30 minutes, while many headed toward Beirut without knowing where they would stay.

Lebanon’s Disaster Management Unit announces the locations of available shelters in Beirut, the South, Mount Lebanon, and Hasbaya district and shared hotline numbers for citizens seeking help.

AlAraby report highlights the impact of repeated conflict on young children, describing a toddler born at the start of the last Israeli war in September 2024 who has lived through two wars and is now displaced for the second time. The father stressed the need for lasting solutions, noting that the post-ceasefire period was unstable as strikes continued in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Al-Hadath shows long queues of cars waiting to cross at the Masnaa border as people are fleeing the conflict from Lebanon towards Syria. Videos circulating showed that crossings were opened without stamping passports, leading to significant chaos among travellers.

UNICEF mobilizes Rapid Response Teams to collective shelters to assess urgent needs and deliver essential lifesaving services and supplies and began distributing Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) kits to families on the move in Beirut and to shelters in the South, Nabatieh, and Beirut.

Al-Jadeed reports that a woman gave birth on the road while evacuating from southern Lebanon toward Beirut, as vehicles were stuck in heavy traffic caused by the wave of displacement.

MTV Lebanon reports that residents of Bednayel, Hermel, Sour, Mashghara, and Deir Qanoun En Nahr in specific buildings were warned to immediately evacuate by the IDF, with spokesperson Avichay Adraee stating that Hezbollah military infrastructure in these areas will be targeted.

MTV Lebanon reports that the IDF, through spokesperson Avichay Adraee, issued evacuation warnings to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, particularly Haret Hreik and Burj al Barajneh, indicating that specific buildings will be targeted.

Daraj Media reports in a video shared on Instagram that displaced people fled their homes in their pyjamas in a hurry, with sick individuals and children confined into cars. Many ran out of fuel while spending several hours stuck in heavy traffic. Others were forced to sit or sleep on the streets with nowhere to go, as some schools refused to accept displaced people due to fear of being targeted by bombings.

Megaphone News shares a video on Instagram showing a young boy, Ali, who was displaced with a friend from Burj al Barajneh to downtown Beirut after nearby airstrikes, describing that he was eating when the bombing began.

BayteBaytak has been relaunched to connect displaced people with hosts offering apartments, with all listings manually reviewed for authenticity. Displaced people can browse available listings, while only those with housing to offer should submit a listing.

3 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 321 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people is 58,064, representing 12,539 families.

Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon have triggered a new wave of displacement, forcing people to flee their homes and seek shelter in safer areas of the country. Families are sleeping in cars, streets, and damaged schools as available shelters become increasingly overcrowded.

Save the Children reports that approximately 16,000 children, were displaced within three days due to Israeli airstrikes and evacuation orders. Several schools hosting displaced families are in poor condition, with damaged infrastructure and limited facilities, while many families remain unable to access formal shelters.

The Straits Times reports that many displaced are stranded on roads or sleeping in vehicles while attempting to leave affected areas, particularly from the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon.

France 24 reports that since the start of renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed 72 people and wounded 437, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. 

The National mentions the sudden evacuation orders led to large-scale scenes of panic and chaotic population movements, with thousands of people moving simultaneously across southern and central Lebanon. Humanitarian coordinators reported traffic jams and gridlock on roads leaving southern Beirut and southern Lebanon, with displaced families unsure where to relocate or which areas would remain safe.

Heavy displacement has been recorded across South Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut after Israel issued evacuation warnings to residents of more than 50 villages in the south and intensified airstrikes across these areas.

The escalation of hostilities also triggered increased cross-border movements. UNHCR reports that a growing number of Syrian refugees have begun returning to Syria through border crossings from Lebanon, creating additional humanitarian needs at reception points and along transit routes inside Syrian territory. 

Amnesty International issues an urgent call, following joint US-Israel attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory strikes, to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.

OCHA declares that more than 60,000 people are sheltered in 330 collective sites, with many others outside the shelters or on the move. Displacement orders have so far been issued by the Israeli military for more than 100 towns and villages in the South and Bekaa.

Daraj Media reports that when the war erupted, many people lost their jobs and homes, and their living situation became precarious or irregular. Additionally, accounts from inside a housing centre show that families of migrant workers are being forced to leave without legal protection or social support. The shelter, which opened in 2024 for similar crises, currently houses 140 people, while dozens wait outside and others are turned away due to overcrowding. The conflict exposes the weakness of a system that links rights to individuals, as organizations struggle to fill the gaps and provide at least minimal protection.

4 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 399 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people is 83,847, representing 18,033 families.

In a new escalation of the displacement crisis, the Israeli army orders the evacuation of the entire region south of the Litani River.

HRW notes that the mass evacuation orders issued by the IDF for all residents south of the Litani River, covering about 8% of Lebanon and affecting hundreds of thousands of people, may constitute a violation of the laws of war.

UNRWA declares the activation of its Emergency Response in Lebanon and opened the first emergency shelter at the Siblin Training Centre in Saida, along with two nearby schools to accommodate displaced persons.

UNRWA reports that displaced families entered Siblin emergency shelter and nearby schools in Saida forcibly, while in Nahr el-Bared Camp in North Lebanon, community members entered by force Mazar and Majedo Schools to open classrooms for displaced families from the South.

UNHCR reports that about 37,000 Syrians and a smaller number of Lebanese crossed into Syria between 2 and 4 March, according to the Lebanese and Syrian governments.

Vatican News reports that although official policy does not exclude non-Lebanese from public shelters, many migrant workers have been denied access. In response, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and local Church communities reopened Church shelters originally established during the 2024 conflict to host migrants and refugees from countries including the Philippines, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.

World Central Kitchen reports that it is providing hot meals, food supplies, and emergency food relief to displaced families across Lebanon, including distributions to families stuck on roads and in collective shelters.

BBC reports a case of a resident in southern Lebanon who refused to leave his home for Beirut despite warnings, saying he would rather die in his home than be forced onto the streets.

Asharq Al-Awsat highlights that severe housing shortage, soaring rents, and refusal by some areas to host displaced people due to fears of attacks and resentment toward Hezbollah left many stranded in cars, or on the streets, exposed to cold and hardship.

MTV Lebanon reports that the IDF, through spokesperson Avichay Adraee, issued evacuation warnings to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, particularly in Hadath, indicating that a specific building will be targeted.

A L’Orient Le Jour report showed that in Sidon, displaced families from southern Lebanon set up tents along the waterfront after several days of Israeli bombardment, with many spending the night on the corniche because schools and shelters were full.

Journalist Halima Tabiah shares a video of a displaced woman from Dahyeh staying in Martyrs’ Square, forced to sleep on the pavement with her sister with no access to toilets except a single restaurant that closes at 10 pm. They were also not allowed to enter the mosque. She described how her basic human rights are not being met and expressed feeling homeless in her own country.

Megaphone News publishes a short video report showing a displaced woman in a shelter in Beirut describing the difficult conditions after fleeing her home in the southern suburbs, saying she would not mind sleeping on the ground in her own home if it meant returning, after she and others spent two days on the streets without food, water, or access to bathrooms before reaching the shelter.

5 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 441 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 95,773, representing 21,475 families.

A new turning point in the 2026 displacement crisis: in an unprecedented move, in the afternoon, Israeli army Arabic spokesperson issues new forced displacement orders for the entirety of several southern suburbs, namely Burj al-Barajneh, Hadath, Haret Hreik and Chiyah. The declaration causes mass displacement in chaos, panic and important traffic jams. In parallel, Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatens to turn the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital into another Gaza Strip, “like Khan Younis”.

The L'Orient-Le Jour article shows that the Israel Defense Forces ordered the evacuation of approximately 700,000 residents from several neighbourhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs. According to the article, the announcement triggered widespread panic and uncertainty across the area. While many residents fled immediately, others remained due to concerns over homelessness, financial constraints, or scepticism regarding the warning. The article further notes that the scale of the evacuation order was unprecedented, as even during the 2024 war such a large-scale order covering entire neighbourhoods had not previously been issued.

This Is Lebanon records that the IDF carried out an evacuation order in the Bekaa region, targeting residents of Dours, Brital, and Majdaloun. Residents were directed west via the Zahle–Baalbek Road.

An-Nahar indicates that the IDF issued an evacuation warning to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, instructing them to leave their homes immediately. The warning directed the residents of Burj al-Barajneh and Hadath to move east toward Mount Lebanon via the Beirut–Damascus Road, while residents of Haret Hreik and Chiyah were instructed to head north toward Tripoli along the Beirut–Tripoli highway or east toward Mount Lebanon through the Metn Expressway, with movement southward prohibited due to safety risks. Following the warning, heavy traffic congestion was reported at the entrances to the southern suburbs as residents began evacuating, marking a new wave of displacement toward Beirut and northern areas.

NNA states that the Red Cross evacuated a number of patients from Al Sahel Hospital and Bahman Hospital. The statement added that the operation was carried out due to the current circumstances in the southern suburbs, with patients transferred to hospitals outside Beirut in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health.

JRS reports that migrant workers in Lebanon are facing serious challenges due to the ongoing conflict and repeated displacement. Government shelters often refuse to admit them, leaving them dependent on support from organizations like JRS for shelter, food, and protection. Many cannot stop working because they need to send remittances to their families, adding to their vulnerability. The lack of formal institutional support has left them exposed and reliant on humanitarian assistance.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that displaced families in Lebanon are facing a severe housing shortage, with surging rents, limited apartment availability, and local restrictions forcing many to sleep in vehicles, on streets, or in public areas while searching for accommodation.

The National reports that hundreds fled Beirut’s southern suburbs on foot following evacuation orders, while overcrowded shelters forced many to stay on pavements, in parks, and other public spaces.

UNRWA set up a second emergency shelter in Nahr el-Bared camp north of Tripoli, using six school buildings for displaced people.

Human Rights Watch declares that “the Israeli military’s call for the immediate evacuation of the entire population of Lebanon south of the Litani River raises serious risks of violations of the laws of war”. The report adds that the “area makes up about eight percent of Lebanon’s territory and is home to hundreds of thousands of people.”

Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed announces the opening of all public schools and universities as shelters and urged displaced families to head toward the North, Akkar, and the Bekaa where greater capacity is available. She also announced the launch of cash assistance for 50,000 displaced families in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP), to be distributed via SMS instructions, along with an online registration link and a WhatsApp channel to share information on available shelters and response updates.

Syria TV reports that Syrian nationals are facing mistreatment and complicated crossing procedures on the Lebanese side of the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing while attempting to return to Syria.

6 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 512 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 110,162, representing 26,342 families.

UNHCR reports that families are fleeing with only essential belongings toward areas considered relatively safer, including parts of Mount Lebanon, Beirut, northern districts, and the Bekaa, with many reporting widespread fear and anxiety while on the move.

OCHA reports that large numbers of displaced people remain unregistered formally in collective shelters and unaccounted for, including families sheltering in vehicles or gathering along roadsides.

OCHA highlights that collective shelters are heavily overcrowded, increasing risks of GBV against women and children, with partners distributing dignity kits and awareness materials to vulnerable women and adolescent girl.

Malteser International and the Lebanese Order of Malta provides emergency support to displaced people in temporary shelters by distributing food, toys, and medical care to children and those most in need, noting that many people were fleeing their homes and sleeping in cars or other ad‑hoc locations.

In an Amnesty report, Deputy Regional Director for the MENA declares that “civilians in Lebanon are once again being ordered to flee en masse by a military that has repeatedly shown its willingness to inflict significant civilian harm through unlawful attacks in previous rounds of fighting.” She adds that Israel’s evacuation orders caused panic and terror, and they “does not grant the Israeli military the right to treat these areas as open-fire zones, nor does it absolve Israel of its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians, wherever they are.”

BBC News reports highlighted a case of a Lebanese shepherd forced to flee on foot with his flock from Naqoura in the South toward western Bekaa to escape bombardment, with the journey expected to take five days, two of which he had already completed.

As displacement surges across Lebanon, UNHCR is rapidly mobilizing its teams to support families forced to flee, continuing the distribution of relief supplies, and supporting shelter centres.

Preparations began at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun sports city stadium to receive displaced people following its announcement as a shelter. The Banin Charity Association was assigned to manage the shelter, which will open in phases within 48 hours. Displaced families are asked to register via hotlines. In addition to the sports city, all public schools, the Lebanese University, Charles Helou station, and the Olympic pool in Sbaiyeh have been opened as shelters.

Saida Youth Group transforms its Ramadan charity kitchen into a humanitarian relief effort, providing food to displaced families despite limited resources.

According to NRC, 300,000 people have already been displaced, less than 100 hours after Israel launched a wave of airstrikes and evacuation orders in South Lebanon, Beirut, and other areas. NRC Country Director Maureen Philippon declares that “the latest evacuation orders from Israel could yet produce a humanitarian crisis unlike anything we have seen in over two years.”

Al Jazeera reports a noticeable increase in the number of Syrian residents in Lebanon returning to Syria through border crossings, with teams operating to facilitate procedures and provide services. Movement at the crossing briefly paused following an Israeli threat but later resumed, with some travellers reporting smooth processing despite rumours on social media about obstacles to crossing.

Al Jazeera reports that Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Sayed, stated the ministry is working to provide shelter for displaced people but severe road congestion is hindering access to shelters and the delivery of aid, adding that the ministry has so far met the needs of about 70% of displaced families while displacement from southern areas continues.

7 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 514 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 112,525, representing 26,163 families.

OCHA reports that in addition to the 112,525 people currently taking refuge in collective shelters across the country, many more are presumed displaced outside the shelters. The Ministry is preparing additional collective shelters, with the support of humanitarian partners, amidst new and repeated forced displacement orders by Israel, and growing number of IDPs seeking safe shelters.

OCHA reports that that the evacuations continued, particularly in Tyre, where a new displacement order sparked immediate panic and further departures. The Litani River region for the third time in one-week, Israeli forces issued a comprehensive forced displacement order covering the entire area south of the Litani River. Beirut’s Southern Suburbs witnessed a second wave of mass evacuation notices targeted additional blocks in addition to the area that was threatened on the 4th of March, effectively clearing large parts of the suburbs.

Al Jazeera reports that according to the Lebanese authorities the ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 217 people, injuries to approximately 798 others, highlighting the rapidly growing humanitarian crisis across the country. 

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams across Lebanon have quickly adjusted their operations to meet the rising humanitarian needs caused by the escalation of violence and the mass displacement triggered by Israel’s ongoing airstrikes. Nevertheless, responding to such large-scale needs will require a coordinated and comprehensive effort.

The World Food Programme in partnership with MoSA, launches an emergency cash assistance programme to support families affected by the conflict and displacement. The first phase will assist nearly 183,000 people to meet urgent needs, with a registration platform to be opened for unregistered households. WFP focus on providing hot meals, ready-to-eat rations, and bread. Assistance is being delivered through Lebanon’s Shock-Responsive Social Safety Net in coordination with national authorities, allowing rapid support to conflict-affected households as humanitarian needs continue to rise. 

Collective shelters across several governorates, particularly in Beirut, are facing severe overcrowding and often lack adequate sanitation, privacy, and essential supplies, negatively affecting the health, safety, mobility, and dignity of women and girls.

Among those in formal shelters, UN Women identifies 4,000 female-headed households, 1,600 households with persons with disabilities, and 5,200 households headed by an older person, all of whom face acute protection risks.

8 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 538 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 117,228, representing 27,775 families. 517,000 people had registered on the ministry-affiliated website

UNICEF shares guidance on what parents should tell their children to do if they get lost or become separated during displacement, aiming to help ensure their safety and assist them in finding support.

The Public Source reports that protesters marched in Beirut’s Hamra district in support of the resistance and in solidarity with families displaced by the war, calling on the Lebanese state to provide shelter and assistance to the hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes.

UNHCR reports that only about 23% of displaced people in Lebanon are staying in collective shelters, while the majority remain with relatives, in rented apartments, or sheltering in cars and on the streets.

UNRWA announces the opening of emergency shelters for displaced people in parts of Beirut and Southern Lebanon, providing support to Palestinian refugees, as well as Lebanese and Syrian families.

France 24 publishes a report showing Camille Chamoun sports city stadium being prepared to house displaced families, with tents set up to accommodate 2,500–3,000 people, including plans for electricity and sanitary facilities.

Reuters shares a video of a man from southern Lebanon who had recently restored his home after the 2024 clashes, now displaced with his family to Beirut as heavy airstrikes struck the area. They were able to take only the clothes on their backs, marking at least his fourth displacement over the past four decades.

WFP shares a video highlighting a woman displaced in Lebanon, who fled with her family carrying only what they were wearing to get to safety. She and nine others in the same shelter faced extremely difficult conditions, sleeping for the first two days on the ground without pillows or mattresses, unable to shower, and arriving already in a very fragile financial situation.

MTV Lebanon reports that the Internal Security Forces warned about scammers exploiting displaced people by posting fake housing offers on social media and then disappearing after receiving advance payments, urging displaced residents not to send money before verifying the property and landlord.

Annahar reports that the IDF renewed its threat to target the Al‑Qard Al‑Hasan association in Lebanon and issued a new evacuation warning for residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, instructing them to leave according to predetermined evacuation routes.

Nidaa El-Watan reports that some Christian border villages in southern Lebanon — including Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and nearby towns — chose to remain in their homes despite escalation and evacuation warnings, both receiving displaced people from neighbouring communities and insisting on staying to protect their land and identity.

9 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 567 collective shelters have been opened, with 667,831 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 119,700 individuals, representing 31,400 families.

UNICEF reports that approximately 200,000 children. The source also adds that at least 83 children have been killed and 254 injured since 2 March amid escalating hostilities, with an average of more than 10 children killed each day. 

According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the majority of displaced individuals remain outside formal sites, staying with relatives, host communities, or sleeping in vehicles and public spaces such as the Beirut waterfront. The report also indicates a critical shortage of mattresses, blankets, and cleaning supplies. Many children and elderly persons are sleeping on bare floors. It also reported many people, including the elderly, those with disabilities, and individuals with limited mobility, remain in hard-to-reach or high-risk areas, facing difficulties accessing evacuation or aid.

The International Rescue Committee further reports severe overcrowding conditions, including cases in Beirut where seven families were living in a single 20-square-meter locker room at a stadium, while that in several school-based shelters as many as 23 people share a single toilet, creating serious privacy and hygiene risks, particularly for women and girls.

The New Arab reports that nearly 700,000 people have been displaced across Lebanon due to escalating Israeli strikes and evacuation orders, forcing families to flee from southern regions toward safer areas. At the same time, some Syrian refugees in Lebanon have begun returning to Syria, as border crossings reopened and conditions in Lebanon deteriorated due to the intensifying conflict.

L’Orient le Jour source denies rumours that the Internal Security Forces (ISF) were deployed to remove tents of displaced people at Ramlet al-Bayda. A security source said the ISF is only encouraging displaced families to move to official shelters, including the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium. Meanwhile, more than 500,000 people have been registered as displaced since March 2, with about 117,000 currently staying in government shelters.

UNRWA reports that it activated its emergency response in Lebanon on 4 March 2026 following the escalation of hostilities. The agency has opened emergency shelters and is providing assistance to displaced people, while warning that the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating as thousands are forced to flee and require urgent support.

The UNFPA situation report states that the escalation of hostilities between 2 and 9 March 2026 has caused hundreds of casualties and displaced more than 667,000 people across Lebanon. UNFPA is responding by deploying mobile health teams, supporting health facilities, and providing reproductive health services, protection support, and dignity kits for women and girls in shelters.

10 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 580 collective shelters have been opened, with 759,300 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 122,600, representing 31,500 families.

UNHCR reported that, according to Syrian authorities, more than 78,000 Syrians and over 7,700 Lebanese have crossed from Lebanon into Syria since the escalation began, including Syrian refugees who had already planned to return in the coming months and others who returned urgently due to the current escalation.

Samir Al-Safah, Director General of the Makhzoumi Foundation, told Al Jazeera that the first section of Sports City has been prepared and is currently hosting around 500 displaced people, while work continues to prepare additional spaces and improve basic services including water, electricity, and tents.

UNHCR delivered around 168,000 emergency relief items to more than 63,000 displaced people in 270 collective shelters, providing essential supplies such as mattresses, blankets, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, solar lamps, and jerry cans.

War Child reports that about one in every ten children in Lebanon has been displaced due to the conflict, facing risks like family separation, disrupted education, trauma, and vulnerability to exploitation and violence. The organization is managing shelters, and providing daily meals, drinking water, and essential hygiene items, having distributed over 4,700 cold meals so far.

CNN reports that Lebanon’s displacement crisis is heightening communal tensions, with officials and aid organizations warning that ethnic and religious strife could escalate rapidly.

Al Jazeera reports that the IDF issued evacuation warnings for residents in southern Lebanon including Arnon, Yahmar, eastern and western Zuqtar, Tyre, and Sidon, as well as Beirut’s southern suburbs—Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir, and Chiyah—urging them to leave immediately.

Asharq Al-Aawsat reports that the last residents of the Alma al-Shaab, a Christian village near the Israeli border, fled after days of defying an Israeli evacuation warning, with convoys of vehicles seen leaving the area carrying women, children, and the elderly.

Public Works Studio calls on the government to urgently respond to Lebanon’s escalating displacement crisis by opening empty public and private spaces for shelter, controlling rent increases, and implementing at least ten immediate measures to ensure housing for displaced families and prevent further humanitarian strain.

Manateq reports that dozens of Palestinian refugees from the Burj al‑Shamali Palestinian refugee camp near Tyre were displaced to Saida due to Israeli warnings and airstrikes, with many forced to sleep on sidewalks and public squares seeking safety from the raids and ongoing threats.

Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar tells Red TV that Beirut hosts the largest number of displaced people, as many wish to stay close to their homes, making it difficult for the city to accommodate everyone. He adds that transportation is being provided for displaced families willing to move to Mount Lebanon and northern areas.

Megaphone News reports that volunteer kitchens across Lebanon have resumed operating to support displaced people in shelters, providing meals despite limited resources and growing humanitarian needs.

Annahar reports that a false evacuation warning led to the precautionary evacuation of the Holiday Suites Hotel and the Jounieh municipality building after a fake call from an international number triggered a brief security alert and road closure.

Megaphone News reports that dozens of displaced families from Aitaroun, Yaroun, and Bint Jbeil who had taken shelter in the border town of Rmeish were forced to leave after Israeli threats warning the village could be targeted if they remained there.

Yassour Page highlights the animal care initiative launched by Kassem Haydar in southern Lebanon, who chose to stay in the area despite bombings and evacuation warnings to look after and feed animals abandoned by their fleeing owners.

11 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 590 collective shelters have been opened, with 816,700 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 125,800 individuals, representing 31,900 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 585,694 hot and cold meals, 42,742 ready to eat meals, 32,967 hygiene kits, 1,218 baby kits, 351,310 litters of drinking water, as well as 118,662 mattresses and 137,258 blankets.

The escalation has also triggered cross-border movements toward Syria, as Syrian authorities reported that over 78,000 Syrians and more than 7,700 Lebanese have entered Syrian territory from Lebanon since the start of the escalation. Many of those crossing are Syrian refugees who had previously been living in Lebanon but decided to return due to the deteriorating security situation. 

Lebanese authorities have taken measures to manage the growing number of displaced persons. During a ministerial meeting officials discussed securing diesel fuel and ensuring access to food, water, and other services. Government officials also reported that 39 reception centers are currently operating, with more than 100 additional sites prepared to open if displacement increases further.

An Israeli strike hit the Ramlet al-Baida seafront in Beirut while displaced families were sheltering there, killing at least 12 people and injuring 28. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and casualties as families who had fled Dahieh searched for their children after the blasts. The attack occurred without prior warning, as hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced across Lebanon and many struggle to find safe shelter.

Daraj posts an article describes the worsening housing crisis for displaced people. Many families struggle to find housing due to dramatically increased rents and exploitative rental conditions, with landlords demanding up to $1,500 per month and advance payments of 3–6 months. As a result, some displaced families were forced to stay in schools converted into collective shelters or sleep in cars or on roadsides.

L’Orient le Jour article reports that Christian villages in southern Lebanon have increasingly come under Israeli bombardment during the escalation. In the town of Qlayaa, an Israeli shelling killed a priest, Pierre el-Raï, and injured several others, shocking residents and highlighting the growing danger facing communities that had previously tried to remain in their homes. Some villages had resisted leaving, such as Alma el-Chaab, were eventually evacuated with the supervision of UN peacekeepers. Residents fear that this conflict may be different from previous wars, expressing uncertainty about whether they will be able to return to their homes after the fighting ends.

12 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 596 collective shelters have been opened, with 822,600 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 128,200 individuals, representing 33,200 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 630,097 hot and cold meals, 64,994 ready to eat meals, 36,524 hygiene kits, 1,279 baby kits, 382,960 litters of drinking water, as well as 133,746 mattresses and 168,27 blankets.

The Israeli army extends evacuation orders to areas north of the Litani River, south of the Zahrani River. This unprecedented move covers major Lebanese cities, including Nabatieh, and dozens of additional towns and villages.

UNICEF indicates that about 285,600 children are displaced, adding that displacement figures are rising faster than registration systems can track, mentioning the Risk of Further Displacement as airstrikes continues. Places that had recently received displaced families, including Haret Saida and Tyre, were suddenly given evacuation orders, forcing many to flee again. Some families were left without shelter and had to sleep in open areas.

Massive Displacement have been reported by UN News, where thousands of families remain in affected areas despite evacuation orders. Many cannot leave because of safety concerns, lack of transport, or fear of losing their homes and livelihoods. And with Israeli military evacuation orders now cover more than 25% of Lebanese territory, forcing residents from the south, the Bekaa, and Beirut’s southern suburbs to move repeatedly.

France announced that it would triple its humanitarian aid to Lebanon, delivering approximately 60 tons of supplies, including hygiene kits, lighting equipment, and a mobile health centre to assist affected communities.

Mercy Corps provides a harrowing look at Syrian and Palestinian refugees. These groups are often the "last in line" for official government shelters. Many Syrian families are fleeing Informal Tent Settlements in the Bekaa Valley that are now within strike zones, moving toward the North only to find themselves without legal protection or a place to sleep.

The New Arab reports how mass displacement has severely disrupted Lebanon’s housing market and increased social tensions. As hundreds of thousands of people fled the south and Dahiyeh, demand for housing in safer areas such as Mount Lebanon, Beirut, and the North sharply increased, leading many landlords to raise rents significantly, sometimes three or four times higher than before the conflict. This has left many displaced families unable to afford housing and feeling exploited, creating a situation where some become effectively homeless despite previously being financially stable.

At the same time, the same source adds ,overcrowded shelters pushed many families to seek refuge in public spaces like squares and the Beirut waterfront, where complaints from residents in wealthier areas have sometimes led authorities to remove them without offering alternatives. Many displaced people have therefore been forced to live in cars, unfinished buildings, or other informal spaces. 

An article published by L’Orient le Jour describes an Israeli attack on Ramlet al‑Baida beach in Beirut, where many displaced Lebanese families had gathered after fleeing other conflict zones. Witnesses recount horrific scenes during the strikes, with civilians caught in the bombardment and forced to flee once again despite having hoped the beach would be a safer place.

13 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 612 collective shelters have been opened, with 830,441 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 130,624 individuals, representing 33,712 families.

NRC reports that conditions are extremely crowded and lacking basic facilities, with one school shelter hosting up to 15 people per classroom, one toilet shared by 23 people, no showers or cooking gas, and limited water. The organization is providing essentials like pillows, blankets, mattresses, and cleaning items, though needs are already exceeding current aid capacity.

UNHCR reports that approximately 90% of collective shelters in Lebanon are full, with many displaced families are staying with relatives or in cars and public spaces because they still haven’t found a safe shelter. At Rafic Hariri High School in Zokak el‑Blat, about 1,600 people are living in cramped classrooms and tents on the school grounds.

MSF highlights that mass displacements are worsening vulnerabilities, particularly for people who have remained displaced since 2023. In one shelter near Saida, families who have been there for three years are living in extremely crowded conditions, with some rooms housing up to 30 people, illustrating the severe strain on space and resources. The article also presents the testimony of Khadijah, a 56 year old women who fled her southern border village since 2023 and who refused to be identified as a displaced, asking that “why do you call me [such] when I am in my own country?”

UN Lebanon highlights that woman are playing a central role in helping displaced families cope, organizing evacuations, and supporting children dealing with trauma amid the ongoing crisis.

Lebanon’s Interior Minister, Ahmad AlHajjar, reports that the country is facing a real crisis from the large influx of displaced people into Beirut, putting heavy strain on infrastructure and shelter capacity, with authorities exploring the opening of additional sites and calling for unity to avoid escalating tensions.

Annahar reports that the IDF issued an evacuation warning to residents of Abbasiya in the southern city of Tyre, Lebanon.

Arabi reports that an informal “survival economy” has emerged in streets and shelters, with individual initiatives, small donations, and volunteer networks via social media providing essential support like food, clothing, and medicine. Some citizens are also opening their homes to displaced families from targeted areas. While these efforts help in the short term, volunteers stress that they are only temporary solutions and cannot replace long-term housing or reconstruction efforts.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to Beirut and the launch of a Flash Humanitarian Appeal, emphasized solidarity with the people of Lebanon, announcing an urgent $308.3 million appeal to support those affected by the crisis.

Al-Akhbar reports that many residents of the southern suburbs and southern Lebanon are choosing to stay in their homes despite the bombardment. Previous experiences of displacement and rising rent costs make staying a daily matter of dignity for many.

Sifrmag reports that around 700,000 children in Lebanon cannot attend school because many institutions are either in unsafe areas or repurposed as shelters. This interruption not only disrupts education but also threatens long-term social and economic stability, worsening inequalities in the absence of government action.

Megaphone News reports that the Vice-President of the Supreme Islamic Shia Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, justified not opening the council’s offices to receive displaced persons by emphasizing that this duty falls to the state, and that the council is merely an administrative centre. 

Annahar reports that displaced people in downtown Beirut were asked by the municipality to evacuate Martyrs’ Square and remove their tents. Elderly, kids and sick residents, who had stayed there to remain close to their homes, were left uncertain about where to go.

Megaphone News reports that Israeli warplanes dropped leaflets over Beirut urging people to contact Israeli military intelligence and coordinate with them against Hezbollah, including QR codes linking to contact channels. Activists and local groups warned people not to scan the codes due to safety concerns.

The priest of Al-Hajja emphasizes to LebTalks that the town’s residents are determined to stay to protect their land and homes, after the IDF issued evacuation warning

Manateq shares a video of Em Bassam who fled to the Rashidieh Palestinian refugee camp from the southern town of Al-Mansouri near Tyre with only the clothes she was wearing, sharing the horrors of displacement and her worry for her missing son.

France 24 reports that displaced people in Lebanon are breaking their Ramadan fast on sidewalks in cold weather after being forced to leave their homes due to Israeli threats.

Manateq reports that a displaced man from Nabatieh started a small initiative in a shelter in Saida, offering haircuts to other displaced people for a symbolic fee, or for free for those unable to pay.

AlAfdal TV shares a story of a Sudanese family describing their displacement journey after fleeing southern Lebanon and walking on foot to Beirut, recounting the hardships they faced along the way.

A Christian family hosts their displaced Muslim friends in their home, reflecting solidarity between communities despite the ongoing displacement crisis in Lebanon.

Syria talks shares a video showing Syrian families displaced from Beirut southern suburbs, now living in tents on the streets, with around 100 families lacking access to bathrooms and describing fear and uncertainty about their situation.

Annahar shares a video of a woman who evacuated her home with all 40 of her cats, treating them as family she couldn’t leave behind.

Banin Association is providing free transportation for displaced families who wish to reach shelters in Tripoli. Those unable to access transport can go to Martyrs’ Square in Beirut, as many people are still sleeping in tents with rain approaching and Beirut shelters already at full capacity.

Basmeh and Zeitouneh teams distribute 374 ready-to-eat food parcels to displaced families in the Saida area, specifically at the municipality of Bqosta, as part of their ongoing emergency response to the displacement crisis in Lebanon.

14 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 619 collective shelters have been opened, with 831,882 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 132,419 individuals, representing 33,902 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 811,677 hot and cold meals, 65,154 ready to eat meals, 37,687 hygiene kits, 1,309 baby kits, 385,140 litters of drinking water, as well as 133,784 mattresses and 171,483 blankets.

Asharq News reports that some property owners are raising rental prices to discourage new tenants out of fear their buildings could become targets, while hotels have tightened identity checks for guests after Israeli strikes targeted two hotel rooms.

LBCI reports that 66 collective shelters have been opened across Zahle and West Bekaa hosting around 3,000 displaced people from affected areas like Baalbek and Hermel, including about 1,383 families.

The Beirut municipality president denies reports claiming he proposed deporting displaced people by ship, stating that his comments were taken out of context and misrepresented. He explained that the discussion had focused on the lack of international support and funding to address the large-scale displacement.

Al-Hadath Lebanon posts a video showing hundreds of displaced families sleeping in tents along Beirut’s seafront as heavy rain and strong winds hit. With no proper shelter, medicine, or assistance beyond limited food aid, many remain exposed to the storm while their tents are torn by the wind.

RFI reports that volunteers are preparing large quantities of food for displaced families at a former petrol station turned by Nation Station into a community kitchen In the Geitawi neighborhood in Beirut. Volunteers say shelters are already full and humanitarian needs exceed available support, with NGOs struggling to respond to the scale of the crisis.

This is Beirut reports that in the Bekaa town of Majdal Anjar, the municipality requires the names of new tenants to be screened by the Internal Security Forces. A resident who hosted a displaced family without informing the municipality was reported by a neighbour and fined 100 million Lebanese pounds (around $1,100). Similar restrictions on renting to displaced people have emerged in other areas, sometimes accompanied by pressure or intimidation.

France 24 reports that displaced people forced to leave their homes due to Israeli threats are breaking their Ramadan fast on sidewalks in harsh cold, relying on volunteers who bring them food for iftar.

Some municipalities have begun mapping and registering displaced people within their jurisdictions. For example, the Zahleh municipality is compiling regular tables tracking the number of displaced persons, recording 5,679 individuals from 1,618 families, with breakdowns by type of accommodation such as public shelters (schools), rented housing units, hotels, and guesthouses.

Annahar reports that Lebanese social media influencers have launched an initiative to provide aid directly to people affected by the war, moving from online campaigns to on-the-ground support.

The Australian Embassy, in partnership with Access Kitchen and UN Women Lebanon, is providing hot iftar meals to displaced families living in collective shelters during Ramadan.

The Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs is circulating a self-registration link to collect personal information about displaced people and their families. The data is mainly used for emergency response planning and aid coordination. 

The Association of Southern Border Towns reports complaints from displaced people in shelters about poor treatment, including restrictions on visits, leaving, receiving aid, or cooking, as well as inadequate water, electricity, toilets, and cleaning supplies, raising the risk of disease outbreaks. The association urged the Ministry of Social Affairs to send inspectors to all shelters to monitor services and treatment of displaced people.

KPN Lebanon reports that price exploitation by some merchants in worsening the hardships of displaced people. Basic items like mattresses and blankets have sharply increased in price, and even low-quality items have become essential. In some shelters, mattresses and blankets are distributed, but the amounts are insufficient for large families, leaving many without adequate bedding.

Lebanon 24 reports that alongside the rise of social media initiatives supporting displaced people, scams have emerged targeting these campaigns, often via mobile money transfer apps. Frauds contact initiative organizers on WhatsApp, falsely claiming they transferred money by mistake and asking for part to be returned. These attempts aim to trick organizers into sending their own funds, highlighting the need to verify any transfers before responding.

Manateq reports that in the town of Lebaa, Sidon district, Father Jihad Francis leads a municipal relief team supporting displaced families who arrived at the start of the war. Over 250 families have taken refuge in schools and private homes, and Father Francis is calling for assistance with the relief efforts.

The Nation News reports that at least 11,000 pregnant women have been affected by the attacks in Lebanon, with 4,000 expected to give birth in the next three months. Many have been displaced, lost access to essential health services, and are forced to give birth in unsafe conditions, including by the roadside.

Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed receives a delegation from the municipalities of Rmeish, Dible, Ain Ebel, Al-Qouzah, and Alma al-Shaab visited to assess the conditions and needs of families remaining in the area, and to coordinate relief efforts and humanitarian convoys to the border villages.

Minister of Tourism Laura El Khazen Lahoud visits the “Matbakh El Kell” initiative at Souk El Tayeb, highlighting support for programs providing hot meals to displaced people. She emphasized the importance of national solidarity and initiatives that aid both affected families and local producers, linking humanitarian relief with economic support.

15 March

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 620 collective shelters have been opened, with 831,002 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 130,715 individuals, representing 32,901 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 849,176 hot and cold meals, 69,228 ready to eat meals, 42,697 hygiene kits, 1,912 baby kits, 501,924 litters of drinking water, as well as 150,154 mattresses and 179,447 blankets.

Annahar highlights that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating as many families are sheltering in makeshift tents in public spaces and parks after losing their homes to airstrikes, facing harsh cold, food shortages, and limited access to medicine. Overcrowded conditions, lack of heating and lighting, and difficulties obtaining clean water and basic health services are worsening daily life, especially with heavy rain.

Lebanon 24 reports that displaced families in shelters are facing repeated displacement and harsh conditions. Women in overcrowded centres rely on mutual support to cope despite difficult living situations. Some displaced people have developed health problems in shelters, while others lost their jobs after businesses closed due to the war. Many also report severe psychological stress caused by constant insecurity and drones flying overhead.

Al Jazeera shares a video showing the humanitarian conditions for displaced people from Qob Elias in the Bekaa, as waves of displacement rise across Lebanon. Families in a school shelter are heating themselves by burning papers found on-site, while urgently needing mattresses, blankets, food, medicine, and other basic supplies.

Al Jazeera reports that Syrian authorities denied any large-scale displacement of Lebanese people into Syria during the current war. Officials stated that around 500 Lebanese enter Syria daily as part of normal cross-border movement for family, tourism, or work purposes, with border crossings continuing to operate regularly under standard procedures.

Beirut Today reports that families displaced from South Lebanon have taken refuge in the Lebanese National Theatre in Tripoli, which has been reopened as an informal shelter. However, the site faces major challenges, including shortages of food, heating, and medical support, as it lacks official recognition and sufficient resources.

Al Jazeera reports that displaced families in Saida are turning their cars into makeshift shelters, covering them with tarps to protect themselves from the rain after failing to find space in local schools. Additionally, Megaphone News shows families sleeping in vehicles along the Saida corniche and hanging laundry on sidewalks as shelters operate above capacity. Around 12,148 displaced people are currently in shelters in Sidon, while nearly 30,000 others are displaced across the city and its surroundings.

Legal Agenda showcases how a displaced man from Haddath transformed his truck into what he described as a “seven-star hotel,” using it as shelter after failing to find adequate accommodation. The case reflects the limited preparedness of the government’s initial response, as many families who fled on 2 March struggled to find organized shelter or guidance.

Megaphone News reports that a Filipino restaurant “Tres Marias” in Dora has shifted its operations into a humanitarian initiative supporting migrant workers and displaced families by preparing 150 - 300 hot meals every day. The effort also provides a safe space and assists displaced migrant workers with shelter and essential items such as mattresses, blankets, and hygiene supplies.

LBCI shows displaced families in Beirut, particularly along the waterfront, in Raouche and alRamlet alBayda, are sheltering in fragile tents exposed to rain and cold. Many children, including infants, face severe health risks and lack basic protection, warmth, and proper shelter.

A man from Jabal al-Batm in the Tyre district was displaced along with his goats to Baysariyeh in the Sidon district.

After fleeing airstrikes in South Lebanon in the middle of the night, Zahraa from Sudan and her children left on a motorcycle at 1 a.m. and reached Beirut the next day at 4 p.m., seeking safety at JRS church. JRS reports that they continue to provide shelter and support to displaced families like theirs.

LBCI shows Sri Lankan migrant workers spending their day off distributing food to displaced people sleeping on the streets.

The Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party launches a solidarity initiative in Aley to support schools and centres sheltering displaced families, emphasizing that “Lebanon is one people, and we all feel the suffering in the South.”

After being displaced from Beirut’s southern suburbs, Rino, a Bangladeshi national, decides to volunteer at one of the city’s largest kitchens preparing Iftar meals for displaced families.

Nidaa al-Watan reports that tensions rose in Shebaa as rumours of a full Lebanese army withdrawal prompted some residents to think about leaving. Mayor Adam Farhat explained that only a forward position near the Shebaa Farms had been pulled back, while troops remain stationed throughout the town and a complete withdrawal has been halted.

16 March

The displacement crisis passes the threshold of 1 million displaced. The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 622 collective shelters have been opened, with 1,049,328 displaced people self-registered overall. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 132,742 individuals, constituted of 33,622 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,224,632 hot and cold meals, 74,112 ready to eat meals, 50,264 hygiene kits, 2,014 baby kits, 521,321 litters of drinking water, as well as 170,943 mattresses and 195,310 blankets.

Save the Children describes families fleeing the escalation with only little belongings, as children carried their pets and favorite toys while leaving home behind. Inside overcrowded shelters, families sleep on the floor with almost no privacy, sometimes sharing a single toilet among 50 people and relying on very limited cooking facilities. Many sites also lack carpets, heaters and sufficient blankets despite the cold weather.

According to the country director of the IRC, many people no longer have a safe place to stay. She explains that some families remain in their apartments during the day, but once airstrikes begin at night, they drive to other parts of Beirut, sleeping in their cars, on the streets, or in temporary tents.

The IDF – through its spokesperson in Arabic, Avichay Adraee – issues again evacuation orders for Beirut’s southern suburbs, including Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj Al-Barajneh, Tahwitat Al-Ghadir, and Chiyah.

France 24 reports that several municipalities, including Jounieh, towns across Mount Lebanon, and neighborhoods in eastern Beirut, have introduced stricter rental measures affecting displaced families. Landlords are now required to report tenants, register them using personal identification documents, and comply with increased security checks, adding new administrative barriers for those seeking housing.

OCHA reports that the UN and partners, including WFP, UNHCR, and UNICEF, have delivered humanitarian assistance across collective shelters. More than 800,000 hot meals have been distributed alongside mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, and clean water reaching nearly 700,000 people, while UNHCR alone has provided over 182,000 relief items to displaced populations in more than 375 shelters.

Reuters reports that Israel stated that displaced Lebanese civilians would not be permitted to return to their homes until security conditions are ensured for Israeli communities near the border, as Israeli forces continue advancing into additional areas of southern Lebanon.

UNICEF reports that around 350,000 children are among the displaced population in Lebanon.

A doctor fled southern Lebanon with his family but was unable to secure accommodation, as hotels and landlords refused to host displaced people out of fear of potential Israeli targeting, or asked for high rental prices. As a result, he had to separate from his family, sending them to stay with his son in a small room, while he remained in Saida, living at the hospital where he works.

Legal Agenda highlights the situation of persons with disabilities living in displacement shelters in Lebanon, where most facilities remain poorly adapted to their needs. Many shelters lack basic accessibility measures such as ramps, elevators, or adapted bathrooms. Displaced persons with disabilities also face social exclusion, limited access to essential services, and heightened risks, especially for women and girls. The article stresses that humanitarian responses still fall short of inclusive protection standards and calls for more accessible shelter planning and better coordination to protect their rights and dignity.

Abaad reports that the conflict increases the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), especially in overcrowded shelters where sexual violence and exploitation become more likely, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive crisis management to ensure safer spaces for all.

UN Women shares that women-led community kitchens under the Union of Tyre Municipalities and their Disaster Risk Reduction Unit are preparing up to 4,000 meals daily for affected families. In coordination with the UN Food Security Sector, WFP and World Vision Lebanon provide food supplies, while UN Women supports income opportunities for the women operating the kitchens.

The Zahleh municipality is compiling regular tables tracking the number of displaced persons, recording 5,737 individuals from 1,875 families by now, with breakdowns by type of accommodation such as public shelters (schools), rented housing units, hotels, and guesthouses.

The Supreme Islamic Shiite Council announces it will open its centre in Hazmieh to host displaced people following a request from Ain El-Tineh.

Al-Jadeed shows displaced people sleeping on the ground along Saida’s seafront, with one man saying they have nowhere to go and lack the financial means to afford shelter or even food. The man described spending the night in the rain without any protection, adding that no assistance has been provided by the authorities.

Daraj Media documents displaced families forced to remain in street tents during heavy rainfall, as harsh living conditions push some to make difficult choices. Those unable to access shelters returned to their homes in threatened/targeted areas, some of whom were later killed in renewed bombardments, raising concerns that returning is becoming a last resort for some families. As one displaced man said, “Honestly, we are thinking of going back despite the bombing and death there. It feels easier than living like this.”

Lovin Beirut reports that Lebanon is introducing free internet access to support students in continuing their education during the war. Mobile telecom providers Alfa and Touch are offering special plans that include 20GB of free data, available Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., exclusively for accessing educational platforms such as Microsoft Teams, targeting students who are displaced or unable to attend school safely.

This Is Lebanon highlights growing concerns over the risk of disease outbreaks in collective shelters, where overcrowding, poor hygiene conditions and shortages of basic sanitation supplies create a dangerous environment. Limited awareness of personal and public hygiene among some displaced communities further increases the risk of infections spreading, posing serious challenges for health and shelter management teams. The situation recalls previous displacement periods when diseases spread inside several shelters.

Raseef reports that members of the Malagasy community in Lebanon are distributing water, dates, and traditional sweets to displaced families living in tents in Beirut, in a gesture of solidarity with those affected by the war.

LBCI reports that the Papal Nuncio concluded his tour in the Bint Jbeil district, visiting Debel, Rmeish, and Ain Ebel, delivering aid to the residents who have remained despite the conflict.

Displaced people staying at Ras Beirut Public Mixed High School complained about the aid distribution process. They declared that assistance is not being distributed fairly, with most going first to affiliates and supporters of certain groups, while those unaffiliated receive only a small portion of the remaining aid.

Reports from Al‑Akhbar say cases of food poisoning were recorded among displaced people in the West Bekaa after a meal distributed at the Ghazza Middle School led to several being hospitalized. MP Qabalan accused some relief groups and the authorities, including the Disaster Risk Management (DRM), of failing to properly monitor food safety for displaced families.

Clergy at Saints Peter and Paul Monastery in Qattine are providing displaced families from southern Lebanon with food, shelter, and a place to pray, as thousands remain unable to return home due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes.

Manateq reports that more than 240 Lebanese families have sought refuge at the Rashidieh Palestinian refugee camp near Tyre. Most are displaced from surrounding towns and villages who are searching for safety. The camp’s residents have welcomed them, providing as many essential services as possible.

France 24 reports how volunteers—both Lebanese and foreign—are preparing over 1,500 daily meals to distribute them to displaced families across the country. 

17 March

With more than 1 million people displaced and with most of them outside formal shelters, the Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 631 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 133,414 individuals, representing 33,697 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,224,632 hot and cold meals, 74,112 ready to eat meals, 55,099 hygiene kits, 2,304 baby kits, 595,410 litters of drinking water, as well as 172,112 mattresses and 196,054 blankets.

Many displaced families remain unable to access official shelters or adequate housing, forcing them to stay in tents, unfinished buildings, or open public spaces where they are exposed to harsh weather conditions. With formal shelters already full or overstretched, large numbers continue to live in unstable and unsafe accommodation.

Annahar reports that a school in Beirut’s Jnah area, previously used to host displaced families, was evacuated after an alleged Israeli threat targeting a nearby building opposite the Council for the South, adding further uncertainty for those already displaced.

NNA report that the IDF issued an urgent warning to residents of the city of Tyre and nearby Palestinian camps and surroundings, including areas such as Shabriha, Hammadieh (Tyre), Jal al-Bahr, and Zoqoq al-Mafdi, calling on them to evacuate immediately en masse.

Hours before the evacuation alert, El-Siyasa reported that the Tyre municipality estimated that around 16,000 displaced people were living in the city and nearby areas. Of these, 921 families (about 3,626 individuals) were in official shelters, while 2,831 families stayed in other neighbourhoods. Additionally, 4,811 local families continue to live in Tyre and surrounding villages despite the ongoing hostilities.

Following an Israeli evacuation warning, Palestinian camps around Tyre experienced mass displacement, with many residents leaving their homes in fear of potential strikes.

In the border area of Bint Jbeil, some residents have stayed despite the conflict. Around 10,000 people remain in the three main Christian towns: 1,400 in Ain Ebel, 6,500 in Rmeish, and 1,800 in Debel, while in Kawzah, no one stayed.

Aley remains on high alert as authorities prepare for possible Israeli airstrikes, increasing security and monitoring the influx of displaced families from heavily bombed areas in South Lebanon and Beirut.

MTV publishes an article highlighting a rise in organized theft targeting homes and properties in depopulated towns, particularly in areas affected by displacement and evacuation, reflecting growing security gaps. A similar case was reported by 961Today, where a car was stolen in the town of Taybeh in the Bekaa, with the incident linked to the broader context of instability, displacement, and weakened security conditions. Together, these reports point to an increase in opportunistic crime in areas impacted by conflict and population movements.

A displaced mother, forced to leave her home due to the conflict, sent her children to Tripoli for safety and now works by selling tissues in the streets. Her situation highlights the vulnerability of displaced families, where adults must take on informal work to cover basic needs while ensuring the safety of their children amid ongoing instability.

Local citizens are contributing their time and skills to support displaced families in shelters or host communities. For example, Daniel Zaiter from Saida is offering free haircuts to displaced families on the Beirut Corniche.

18 March

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 633 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 133,492 individuals, representing 33,977 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,224,632 hot and cold meals, 74,112 ready to eat meals, 59,862 hygiene kits, 2,663 baby kits, 641,208 litters of drinking water, as well as 175,602 mattresses and 209,393 blankets.

The IDF – through its spokesperson Avichay Adraee – reissued evacuation orders for all residents south of the Zahrani River.

NNA reports that the Internal Security Forces detained an individual who took advantage of displaced families by setting up fake online listings for rental apartments and scamming people through fraudulent schemes.

According to Annahar, a plane carrying humanitarian aid provided by UNICEF and the World Health Organization landed in Beirut with aid to be distributed by the Ministry of Public Health.

NNA reports that the daily ministerial meeting at the Grand Serail focused on addressing the needs of displaced families, coordinating shelter and relief efforts, and assessing what support is required to ensure proper aid delivery. Prime Minister Salam highlighted the importance of ministers visiting displacement centres, particularly during Eid al-Fitr, to make sure assistance reaches the displaced and to observe their needs first-hand.

President Joseph Aoun, while chairing a security meeting attended by the Ministers of Defence, Interior and Municipalities (MoIM), as well as the heads of the security agencies, stressed the need to secure additional shelters for those forcibly displaced from their towns and villages and to provide adequate protection for these centres. He also emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the dignity of every citizen and resident within the framework of the existing laws.

Lebanon 24 reports that Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs said that the government and UN agencies are coordinating the organisation of food convoys to support families remaining in southern Lebanon, and that a tracking dashboard for monitoring aid distribution will be launched soon.

In a session of the Parliamentary Health Committee, its chair, MP Bilal Abdallah, called once again on international organizations and friendly countries to “speed up the delivery of medical and humanitarian aid,” noting that “needs are growing daily with over one million displaced people currently on the ground.”

Sahat visited the Burj al-Barajneh Palestinian Camp in Beirut days after the IDF issued evacuation orders to the camp. They spoke with residents who chose to stay despite the orders, highlighting their struggle to maintain dignity and honour, as they have nowhere to go amid cold, rain, and ongoing fear. Many explained that those who evacuated faced harsher conditions and were often rejected from displacement centres because of their Palestinian origins.

Megaphone News reports that women peacebuilders are taking active roles on the front lines, providing psychosocial support to women and children in shelters and helping displaced families manage daily challenges across various regions. They work directly on the ground to address humanitarian needs and promote social cohesion within communities. They also indicated that there is still little assistance specifically dedicated to women, who remain among the most affected.

“Where are we supposed to go? There’s nowhere for us,” says Ibrahim Al-Sayed, who refuses to leave Tyre despite Israeli threats to the city, after having already been displaced five times. Originally from Beit Lif, he is currently displaced in Tyre and chooses to stay rather than face yet another forced displacement.

This is Lebanon reports that residents in Tyre’s Christian community fear permanent displacement and the loss of their private properties, warning against attempts to seize unoccupied homes. They say that protection from the state remains limited compared to promises so far, raising concerns over their future and the lack of effective intervention. It is also noteworthy to mention that the city’s Christian neighbourhood was explicitly excluded from Israel’s evacuation order.

Lebanon Debate reports serious abuses inside some displacement shelters in Beirut, where aid is being withheld, controlled, and distributed in a humiliating and unequal way.

Megaphone News highlights the story of Shoma Akter, a Bangladeshi migrant worker, describing her repeated displacement with her daughter “Fatouma” from the South to Dahiyeh and then to Beirut. Fatouma experienced the 2024 war while she was still in her mother’s womb and is now living through another displacement episode in an open square in Beirut.

Nabd reports that the Polish Embassy in Lebanon shared photos of its diplomats volunteering alongside humanitarian organizations to help prepare meals for displaced people in Beirut.

A plane carrying EU-funded humanitarian assistance arrives to Beirut, delivering 3.2 tons of emergency medical supplies to support frontline hospitals. Additional aid flights are expected to continue for as long as the crisis persists.

Naqd Media shows a displaced mother from southern Lebanon with her four children who are living in a rain-soaked tent, separated from their father who remained behind. She described searching for shelter but finding no available space, as collective shelters are full, leaving them with wet tents and mattresses exposed to the harsh weather.

Manateq highlights that displacement has made fasting significantly harder for many families, replacing the usual sense of comfort and joy with hardship inside overcrowded shelters. For those forced to leave their homes, even basic daily routines feel unfamiliar and difficult. As the conflict continues without a clear end, their suffering deepens and the hope of returning home remains uncertain. Hussein Atwi, displaced from Shaqra to a school in Beirut, captured this feeling, saying: “We are not used to fasting outside our home.”

AlAkhbar News reports that Israeli attacks on Nabatieh and surrounding towns have intensified, reportedly to pressure residents who refused evacuation warnings, as seen in areas like Zefta and Deir al-Zahrani. Despite the escalation, some families remain unwilling or unable to leave, with one woman expressing: “Where would we go? Dying here is better than being displaced elsewhere.” At the same time, people from towns such as Aytaroun and Taybeh have been displaced to Deir al-Zahrani, facing once again evacuation threats.

Megaphone News reports that an airstrike targeted a building in Bashoura – downtown Beirut – that had previously received evacuation threats and was hit twice, near a school shelter located about 75 meters away hosting around 850–875 people, including 225–275 young children. One displaced person interviewed in the shelter school shared that the sea became for her a symbol of displacement, as she was forced to flee there twice following evacuation orders.

19 March

A strong storm hits Lebanon, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures. Scattered rain intensified throughout the day, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. These conditions leave displaced families even more vulnerable, especially those staying in tents, on the streets, or in cold shelters without heating.

With more than 1 million people displaced and with most of them outside formal shelters, the Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 636 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 134,439 individuals, representing 33,766 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,277,708 hot and cold meals, 74,882 ready to eat meals, 68,789 hygiene kits, 2,927 baby kits, 715,639 litters of drinking water, as well as 181,543 mattresses and 235,512 blankets.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Al‑Abyad extends condolences to Arab counterparts over the humanitarian impact of recent conflicts, highlighting the severe strain on hospitals and medical services. The article notes that over 20% of Lebanon’s population  is now internally displaced, underscoring the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for regional support.

The European Council has called for immediate de-escalation, while providing support for Lebanon.

French Foreign Minister visits the country to express support and solidarity with Lebanon. He visited a shelter in Ain el-Remmaneh and met with displaced families. He also announced that France would increase its humanitarian aid to Lebanon to €17 million, highlighting growing international efforts to respond to the needs of civilians caught in the conflict.

Amel Association International is expanding its reach across Lebanon, providing mobile clinics, primary healthcare, and psychosocial support to displaced and vulnerable communities. The organization is also distributing essential supplies, including medicines and hygiene kits, with particular attention to those most affected, such as women, children, and marginalized groups.

Heavy rain forces many displaced families into makeshift shelters and vehicles, leaving them exposed to strong winds and worsening conditions, adding to already dire circumstances.

One mother from southern Lebanon struggles to care for her four children, aged 11, 9, 7, and 3, while their shelter floods and their belongings get soaked. Even when authorities direct her to temporary accommodation, registering and accessing support remains challenging. Families like hers illustrate the daily hardships and uncertainty that many displaced people endure.

Across Lebanon, women bear the main burden of care in displacement, looking after children, the elderly, and managing daily life under difficult conditions. They also provide essential psychological and emotional support, helping families cope with stress and trauma. Many are involved in local peacebuilding networks, strengthening solidarity and responding to growing humanitarian needs.

Some displaced people say the assistance they receive does not fully meet their needs, revealing gaps in the humanitarian response. Vulnerable populations are increasingly exposed to fraud and extortion, with authorities warning about fake actors requesting money or offering false services. These challenges show how insufficient or uneven support can push people toward unsafe coping strategies, exposing them to financial loss and insecurity, and underline the urgent need for stronger oversight and protection within the humanitarian response.

20 March

First day of Eid al-Fitr arrives amid widespread displacement and hardship, with many families unable to feel any sense of joy and celebration. 

The storm intensified this day, with heavy rain and strong winds reaching up to 70 km/h, further deteriorating displaced people’s conditions.

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 644 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 134,616 individuals, representing 33,949 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,231,125 hot and cold meals, 74,308 ready to eat meals, 69,013 hygiene kits, 2,968 baby kits, 722,669 litters of drinking water, as well as 181,877 mattresses and 236,135 blankets.

NNA reports that the Minister of Public Health visited two displacement shelters in Jbeil to assess the situation of displaced people and the challenges they face, where officials highlighted shortages in medicines and limited resources. He noted that additional contributions are expected to support these centres and strengthen their capacity to meet the needs of displaced people, especially in areas facing increased pressure due to rising displacement.

El-Nashra reports that the Minister of Labor, Mohammad Haidar, visited several displacement shelters and schools in Beirut, in order to assess their living conditions and basic needs. He noted some delays in meeting certain essential needs, while emphasizing that the visit aimed to identify gaps and improve service delivery. He affirmed that efforts are ongoing to respond quickly to the needs of displaced families. He also stressed on the importance of ensuring their eventual return to their homes, while taking note of minor needs that will be addressed as soon as possible.

NNA reports that the Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Sayed, visited the Kuwaiti School serving as a displacement shelter in Saida to assess the conditions of displaced families and the services provided. During the visit, she reviewed relief efforts and available support and listened to residents’ needs, while local officials highlighted that the city is exceeding its capacity and requires additional support. She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting shelters and addressing gaps to ensure basic needs are met.

Annahar reports that displaced families in the Tayouneh area near Horsh Beirut are increasingly setting up tents, reflecting the deepening displacement crisis and growing humanitarian strain. They are living in very difficult conditions with limited basic services, while many prefer to stay in Beirut close to their homes in affected areas rather than relocate to distant shelters, which they see as an added layer of displacement and hardship.

Al-Akhbar reports that the Ghobeiri municipality was displaced from the threatened southern suburbs but continued to provide support to displaced populations, including those who chose to remain in their homes in surrounding areas instead of relocating. The municipality has been delivering basic services and covering areas lacking official support despite severe resource shortages, lack of coordination, and limited assistance from the state or organizations. It is currently assisting around 2,300 displaced families living in homes on the outskirts of Ghobeiri, with numbers continuing to rise.

“We used to wait for Eid to celebrate with our children, today we just hope to get through the day safely.” This reflects how displacement and war have stripped Eid al-Fitr of its meaning for many displaced families from the South, particularly those now in Beirut and Saida. Celebrations have diminished as survival takes priority, with many unable to return to their homes, turning the holiday into a period marked by uncertainty rather than joy.

This Eid is especially harsh for displaced families living in the streets. As Reuters highlights, displaced families tried to protect themselves from heavy rain while living in fragile tents set up just a few meters away from the Mohammad Al Amin Mosque, where Eid prayers were being held. Some families raised their tents on wooden planks to avoid flooding. Meanwhile, inside a nearby school that has been turned into a shelter, volunteers organized activities such as music performances and food distribution to ease the difficult conditions faced by children. Despite these efforts, many adults remained overwhelmed by grief and hardship, describing Eid as having lost its meaning amid ongoing displacement, loss, and the inability to meet basic needs or live a normal life.

Info Migrants highlights how children are often the most vulnerable. Thousands are experiencing the loss of homes and safety, and have been forced to leave behind everything familiar, including their homes, friends, toys, and even pets, which deepens the emotional toll and creates an urgent need for psychosocial support. According to the UN Refugee Assistance Coordinator, Leana Budyshva, “The most effective approach is to encourage them to play. Through this, we can restore to children a sense of normal life.”

Al-Sifr reports that displaced pregnant and breastfeeding women in Lebanon face severe health risks amid limited access to care and lack of targeted state support. Out of 133,492 displaced people in official shelters, 54% are women, including 565 pregnant women and 800 breastfeeding mothers, while around 95% of pregnant women remain outside shelters in already overcrowded areas with limited healthcare access. Many are forced to give birth outside medical facilities or reach hospitals too late, increasing the risk of complications and maternal and new-born deaths. The absence of effective government policies leaves them largely dependent on humanitarian aid.

The “Sufra” initiative was launched, providing daily hot meals to displaced people in shelters through a cooperation between the public and private sectors. The idea began when a restaurant owner proposed using his restaurant to cook for displaced families instead of closing it, leading to a platform that connects donors inside and outside Lebanon directly with participating restaurants. The initiative also aims to support the struggling hospitality sector, which has seen a major decline, and currently includes around 14 restaurants preparing and delivering meals, alongside contributions from humanitarian organizations.

An MSF staff member described returning to her home in South Beirut without knowing if it was still standing, finding the area heavily damaged and largely abandoned. Most MSF staff in Lebanon are themselves displaced yet continue to provide essential healthcare, distribute aid, and support hospitals and health centres.

L’Orient Le Jour reports that as the war intensifies in Lebanon, a growing mental health crisis is emerging alongside displacement, with increasing levels of anxiety, isolation, and trauma driving more people to seek help. In Beirut, a national mental health hotline operated by volunteers has seen a sharp rise in calls, particularly from displaced and homeless individuals, while teams also provide support within shelters. Despite ongoing stigma and social barriers around mental health, seeking help remains an important yet difficult step, with volunteers offering confidential support and referrals to specialized care.

Lebanon debate reports that an altercation broke out in Saida’s Martyrs’ Square between several displaced Syrian individuals, escalating into a physical confrontation with sticks and causing tension in the area. Security forces quickly intervened to disperse the clash and arrest those involved. No serious injuries were reported, while investigations were launched to determine the circumstances and take legal action.

Poly Blog Lebanon shows displaced people in downtown Beirut that have set up makeshift tents, reflecting clear pain, fear, and exhaustion. Despite assurances that shelters are available, many prefer to remain there for different reasons, including reported conflicts in school shelters and concerns over safety and overcrowding. One woman said, “we are in a bad mood, if we stay in shelters we will kill each other,” while another added that he plans to take his tent to Khiyam when back there, stating that no one will help them reconstruct their homes.

Raseef highlights that despite the danger, Abbas Saif al-Din carries out voluntary rescue work without payment, repeatedly entering Beirut’s southern suburbs to retrieve pets and belongings left behind by displaced residents who do not dare to do so.

Naqd Media presents a family from the southern town of Tebnine whose members are now living confined in the corner of a room at the Dekwaneh technical institute. They recall the sudden panic and fear as the attacks began, leaving them with no time to collect their belongings, forcing the children to leave everything behind. Only the youngest girl managed to take her teddy bear with her, refusing to leave it as they fled.

Despite the ongoing war and the harsh conditions of displacement, a moment of joy was seen among displaced children at Jamil Rawas Official Secondary School for Boys in Beirut during a drawing activity organized by UNESCO. Attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports, the event allows the government to assess the needs of displaced families and reaffirm its support. For a while, the children escaped the harsh realities of war, expressing themselves freely through their drawings,

A displaced man from Nabatieh, who had started his own hoodies brand, manages to retrieve the remaining stock he left behind in his hometown and distributes it to displaced families in Biel – Downtown Beirut, turning his business into a way of supporting others affected by the same crisis.

The National Theatre opens its doors to displaced families of different nationalities, including Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, French, African families, as well as domestic workers from Ethiopia and Bangladesh. The initiative included artistic and recreational activities for children aimed at easing the psychological impact of displacement, such as theatre workshops, handicrafts, and drawing sessions for children and youth, helping reduce stress and provide emotional relief.

Megaphone News reports that in the first day of Eid al-Fitr in displacement shelters in Saida, civil and scouting associations organized activities for children aimed at easing the psychological burden of displacement and helping them briefly forget the reality of war. One child expressed a wish to return to his village during Eid, reflecting the emotional weight of displacement. The Muslim Scout Association is also holding two weekly activities to support children psychologically, help improve their mood, and gradually ease their stress so they can regain a sense of normal life.

For many children in Lebanon, war is not just a memory but an everyday reality that has profoundly reshaped their lives. Displacement, the loss of family members, and repeated exposure to violence have left deep psychological scars, with some children saying the conflict has “aged” them beyond their years. Forced out of their homes and routines, they face interrupted education, grief, and a constant sense of uncertainty, as their childhoods are effectively put on hold. Experts warn that this accumulation of trauma puts an entire generation at risk of long-term mental health consequences, highlighting the profound human cost of the ongoing crisis.

21 March 

More than 1.2 million people are now displaced, with most of them living outside formal shelters. The Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 644 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 134,236 individuals, representing 33,117 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,231,125 hot and cold meals, 74,308 ready to eat meals, 70,063 hygiene kits, 3,021 baby kits, 724,905 litters of drinking water, as well as 181,890 mattresses and 236,173 blankets. The number of displaced people in collective shelters has fallen since yesterday. While no official explanation has been given, it is likely that some have returned to their own homes or secured alternative housing through private arrangements.

Al-Mayadeen reports that entire towns in southern Lebanon, including al-Bayyada, Ayta al-Shaab, Arnoun, and Kfar Kila, have faced heavy bombardment, forcing many families to flee in search of safety. Hospitals and medical staff have also been targeted, with dozens of healthcare workers killed and several hospitals closing, leaving the displaced and injured with little access to care. The situation reflects the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict, as communities are uprooted and essential services collapse under continuous attacks.

Local municipal sources report that most displacement shelters are functioning without major incidents, with authorities and local guards maintaining order alongside shelter management. Municipalities, MPs, and community leaders coordinate behind the scenes the delivery of basic necessities, while local NGOs in villages supply food and support. Despite rising displacement, conditions in the shelters are notably better than during previous waves, reflecting both organizational preparedness and active community involvement. This highlights the central role of municipal efforts and civil society in providing displaced families with safer and more adequate shelter.

Amid escalating hostilities, Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are experiencing a fresh wave of displacement, forcing families to flee once more. Many have sought refuge in UNRWA-run shelters, highlighting urgent needs and lack of safe alternatives. Yet the numbers remain limited compared to the wider displacement crisis, indicating that many Palestinians either cannot access formal shelters or rely on informal networks. The situation underscores the repeated vulnerability of Palestinian refugees, who face displacement with few protections or assistance options.

The United Nations warns that civilians in Lebanon are paying a heavy price as violence drives both deaths and mass displacement across the country, with evacuation orders and intensified strikes forcing hundreds of thousands out of their homes.

UNICEF officials highlight the severe impact on children, who now constitute a large proportion of the displaced population and are living in overcrowded shelters with limited services, disrupting their education and wellbeing. Aid agencies are calling for greater humanitarian access and the protection of civilian infrastructure to meet urgent needs for shelter, water, and other essential services amid the rapidly increasing displacement.

Al-Akhbar highlights the worsening situation of Palestinian refugees in southern Lebanon, where families fleeing violence often have nowhere to turn except the camps they once tried to leave. With homes lost or uninhabitable and alternatives either unaffordable or unavailable, many are forced back into overcrowded and precarious conditions.

Similarly, displaced Lebanese families, particularly those fleeing bombardment in areas like Dahyeh are refusing to move far from their homes despite the ongoing danger. Many choose to stay in nearby schools, streets, or temporary shelters, returning frequently to check on their houses, belongings, and neighborhoods.

This same feeling of exhaustion and attachment appears in a report by France 24 on residents of Alma el-Chaab, where families say they are tired of being forced to flee again and again. They escape danger, only to face uncertainty in new places, yet they still hold on to the hope of returning home. 

Lebanon’s Tourism Minister visited two school shelters to assess the humanitarian conditions facing displaced families. She said that a comprehensive report would be prepared for the Cabinet to improve coordination across ministries and ensure that basic services – especially health and food support – are delivered equitably and swiftly to displaced populations. This visit’s goal is to show the government efforts to monitor shelter conditions and better address the needs of IDPs during the ongoing crisis.

An Al-Jazeera article highlights how education remains a critical concern amid Lebanon’s displacement crisis. In Beirut, a local school has become a crucial lifeline for children uprooted by the conflict. For hundreds of students, the classrooms transformed into temporary learning spaces offer a rare sense of normalcy amid daily uncertainty. Families who fled violence find hope in these lessons, knowing their children can continue learning despite overcrowded shelters and scarce resources. The initiative reflects both the resilience of displaced families and the ongoing struggle to sustain education during crisis.

22 March 

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 644 collective shelters have been opened by now. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 134,377 individuals, representing 34,974 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,598,097 hot and cold meals, 76,706 ready to eat meals, 71,589 hygiene kits, 3,109 baby kits, 790,389 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,119 mattresses and 236,622 blankets.

Today is marked by growing tensions and vehement debates around the relocation of some displaced families to an area adjacent to the Beirut port. The controversy surrounds a decision allowing the owner of Azadea Group to convert the Fish Market in Karantina—which was destroyed and has remained inaccessible to local fishermen—into a temporary camp for displaced families. The warehouse is being divided to accommodate around 200 families, with work almost complete. Residents of the surrounding area opposed the plan, raising practical concerns about whether the site will be vacated after the war and the risk that it could gradually be turned into permanent concrete housing, effectively creating a new residential area.

In response to these developments, the head of the Maronite General Council, Michel Matta, raises concerns over this proposed displacement shelter, warning of potential social and security impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods. While affirming the right of displaced people to shelter and protection, he called for a balanced national approach that takes local sensitivities into account and avoids creating tensions, while maintaining support for the dignity and basic rights of displaced populations.

Other local stakeholders have also voiced objections. The Syndicate of Public Truck Owners at the Port of Beirut rejects plans to use land adjacent to the port to shelter displaced people, citing serious safety, logistical, and security risks. They warned that hosting large numbers of displaced families in a sensitive area with a high traffic flux could endanger civilians, disrupt port operations, and create broader instability, calling instead for alternative shelter locations that ensure both the safety of displaced populations and the proper functioning of public infrastructure.

In contrast, MP Amin Sherri argues that the debate surrounding the project is political rather than humanitarian, emphasizing that managing displacement sites is a state responsibility and calling for a national, non-political approach to ensure both the protection of displaced families and public order.

Amidst these debates, the Disaster Risk Management Unit denies circulating claims about the site, explaining that it is only being prepared as a precautionary measure with no immediate use decided yet. It stressed that the location is outside the Port of Beirut, does not interfere with its operations, and is placed under the supervision of the army and security forces, while calling for a more measured and responsible public discussion.

NNA reports that a meeting was held at the Baalbek Municipalities Union centre to follow up on displacement-related matters, bringing together local municipal representatives and political actors. During the meeting, it was announced that Baalbek-Hermel and the Bekaa region would be included in the services of the Council for the South in relation to displacement, with plans to finalize beneficiary lists in coordination with municipalities and local authorities.

In Akkar, 11,813 displaced individuals from 3,093 families have been recorded, including 1,262 individuals (337 families) in collective shelters and 10,551 individuals (2,756 families) within host communities. 20 out of 22 shelters are already at full capacity, highlighting significant pressure on hosting capabilities in the region.

LBCI reports that the Israeli plan to destroy key bridges over the Litani River continues today with the bombing of the Qasmieh Bridge, which has effectively cut off southern Lebanon from the rest of the country, restricting movement and access. This has further impacted displaced populations by complicating mobility and access to services, as part of efforts to block transport routes along the front lines.

Al-Akhbar highlights that displacement has led to sharp increases in rental prices alongside discriminatory practices, with some landlords and brokers selecting tenants based on sectarian affiliation, further marginalizing displaced individuals. In one case, a woman was denied renting an apartment after revealing her name – Zeinab – which revealed her Shi’a origin. Once she called again using a different sectarian-neutral name, she could rent out the apartment. In another case, a woman was told that the municipality of Bsaba denied Muslims accessing the housing market. She was then offered an alternative apartment in Antelias at an inflated price with strict payment conditions.

“Any car you see behind is a small home where families are sleeping for the night.” This is how India Today describes the situation of displaced families, where many are forced to live in open spaces or improvised shelters with limited access to basic needs despite ongoing humanitarian assistance.

L’Orient Le Jour reports that authorities in the southern village of Kaoukaba have asked displaced families to leave within 24 hours due to security concerns following external threats. Officials acknowledged the humanitarian impact of the decision but stated that it was made in coordination with relevant authorities and that alternative shelter would be provided for the affected families.

Yasour Page reports that displaced families in Saida, including children with disabilities, were prevented from entering an education center after security forces were deployed. The facility was reportedly being converted for remote learning. Many of these families remain without shelter, with some forced to sleep in cars or on the streets, appealing urgently for humanitarian assistance and safe accommodation.

After being displaced once again, Mustafa Ramadan was found by Megaphone in Biel where he is now sleeping in his car. He had previously lived through the 2024 war in his home in Haret Hreik, staying despite heavy damage and fear after being refused shelter in Zalka. After repairing and settling back in his home for a short period, he is now displaced again, leaving “without even having time to put on his shoes”. Mustafa now suffers from back and kidney pain and has difficulties walking normally. While food assistance is available, he struggles with the lack of toilets, water, and basic services, often returning to his home in the southern suburbs just to shower. His experience highlights the ongoing challenges faced by elderly people in Lebanon navigating repeated displacement with limited support.

23 March

The exact number of refugees and IDPs is difficult to determine, as figures differ between sources and are constantly changing. Moreover, the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) unit of the Lebanese Prime Ministry has not released updated data on self-registered IDPs since 16 March.

Although consistent and regularly updated figures on IDPs are currently lacking, a statement by Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs, Hanine El Sayed, on X indicated that the number of registered displaced persons has reached 1,162,237, highlighting the magnitude of the crisis.

The Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 645 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 133,678 individuals, representing 33,117 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,785,857 hot and cold meals, 78,556 ready to eat meals, 70,063 hygiene kits, 3,172 baby kits, 797,108 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,284 mattresses and 236,701 blankets.

Following an Israeli strike in Hazmieh that targeted a residential apartment, the municipality confirmed it had previously welcomed displaced families but warned that recent security developments may force it to adopt restrictive measures. The mayor stressed that while displaced persons are considered part of the community, ensuring local security has become a priority, especially as the expansion of strikes beyond southern areas increases pressure on host communities. This incident also sparked tensions among local residents, who voiced their anger against the displaced community.

A report made by This is Lebanon warns that repeated evacuation orders may render the return of displaced populations nearly impossible.

Fears have raised around Karantina potentially becoming a permanent shelter, which would be seen by some as leading to a demographic shift in the areas. Such reports highlight growing sectarian fears among the host communities, especially in Christian areas. 

Environment Minister Tamara El Zein conducts a field visit to IDP shelters in Sidon and Haret Saida, where she assessed living conditions and response mechanisms. While commending local authorities’ efforts, she identified significant gaps in resources and support due to limited state capacity and insufficient international assistance, emphasizing the need for enhanced coordination and preparedness, warning of continued displacement amid uncertainty over the conflict’s trajectory.

A widely circulated video shows a clash and gunfire among displaced persons inside Hariri School in Aramoun after midnight. Residents have called the security forces asking them to arrest the perpetrators. Similarly, in Sharon, Aley District, local residents discovered and seized a cache of weapons, reportedly in the possession of some displaced persons. The seized items included assault rifles, sniper rifles, night‑vision devices, large quantities of ammunition, and explosive materials, all of which were handed over to the competent security authorities. While these videos by themselves did not trigger a major incident, they raised concerns about insecurity and contributed to growing tensions between IDPs and host communities.

The UN, through OCHA, reports that humanitarian assistance in Lebanon is being scaled up in coordination with the Government. UN agencies and partners have provided collective sites across all governorates with mattresses, blankets, sleeping mats, hygiene kits, nearly 600,000 litres of clean water, and over 485,000 litres of fuel. Despite these efforts, displacement continues to surge.

Children living in displacement shelters across Lebanon are experiencing conditions that deprive them of the basic aspects of a normal childhood, with their daily lives and hopes largely defined by the conflict and the desire to return home rather than playing, learning, or growing in safe environments. These harsh circumstances have altered their routines and dreams far beyond what would be expected for their age, as shelter support and services struggle to meet their needs despite efforts by organizations to provide psychosocial support, education, and recreational activities.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly called for the annexation of southern Lebanon, advocating for Israel to extend its borders up to the Litani River amid intensifying military operations. For Lebanese IDPs originally from southern Lebanon, these developments exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation. Families who fled from southern Lebanon are now even more uncertain about return, as political statements and military attacks make their areas of origin unsafe and at risk of annexation. At the same time, the threat of annexation and continued strikes put extra pressure on the communities that are hosting them, increasing tensions and the urgent need for protection, shelter, and humanitarian support.

24 March

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 657 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 134,921 individuals. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 1,802,256 hot and cold meals, 78,612 ready to eat meals, 73,362 hygiene kits, 3,172 baby kits, 800,321 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,301 mattresses and 236,751 blankets. The DRM did not publish the number of displaced families for this day.

MP Bilal Abdallah, along with a delegation of local officials, held meetings with the Council for the South and the Higher Relief Committee to discuss support for displacement shelters in the Iqlim al-Kharoub region. The discussions focused on strengthening assistance, improving living and health conditions in shelters and enhancing coordination between relevant actors to better respond to the growing needs of displaced families.

In Akkar, 12,670 displaced individuals from 3,345 families have been recorded, including 1,295 individuals (345 families) in collective shelters and 11,375 individuals (3,000 families) within host communities. A total of 22 shelters have been opened in the governorate, 20 of which have already reached full capacity, while hotlines have been introduced to facilitate communication with displaced people.

After widespread local concerns and rejection from community figures over plans to use the Karantina warehouse near the Port of Beirut as a displacement shelter, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a decision assigning the area for the storage of humanitarian aid instead of housing displaced families.

The Minister of Interior, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, states that displacement has been heavily concentrated in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and several southern areas including Sidon, Tyre, and Jezzine. He stresses that state institutions and security agencies, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and other security branches, are actively following the displacement situation to ensure service provision and ease the crisis, while coordination with municipalities continues to maintain order and prevent any form of self-security arrangements.

NNA reports that President Joseph Aoun held a series of meetings at Baabda Palace with members of parliament to discuss the worsening displacement situation across Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli attacks. The discussions focused on families forced to leave their homes and their displacement to safer areas, as well as the state’s efforts to provide shelter and basic needs to help displaced people maintain basic living conditions and dignity.

Several Iraqi families in Lebanon are currently displaced and unable to return home due to ongoing security conditions. These families were forced to leave southern Lebanon and are now staying in shelters established by the Iraqi embassy in Beirut. Many are struggling with the high cost of return travel, which can reach around 300 dollars via Jordan. Additionally, no evacuation measures have been taken by the Iraqi authorities so far, leaving around 15 young people stranded, while some families have been forced to live in tents due to the lack of adequate housing.

In Sahel Alma, tensions flared after debris from an intercepted missile landed in the town, forcing local residents to expel displaced families. One resident made it clear they no longer want to be living with them. In the wake of the incident, some angry locals went further, taking it upon themselves to personally check the identities of the displaced. In contrast, another citizen emphasized that, however great their own suffering may be, it pales in comparison to that of those who have been forced to leave their homes.

UNHCR spokesperson Dalal Harb warns that around 18% of the Lebanese population is currently displaced, describing the situation as a major humanitarian crisis that could worsen if the escalation continues. She said aid is being delivered through municipalities and local authorities to people still in their homes in southern areas, while explaining that some displaced families refuse to move to shelters outside Beirut due to work obligations or the need to stay close to family and social networks. She also stressed that assistance efforts extend beyond Lebanese displaced people to include Syrian and other refugees, with coordination for Palestinians through UNRWA and for migrant workers through the International Organization for Migration.

The municipality of Mansourieh calls on residents to stay vigilant and protect their property. They emphasized carefully checking anyone renting or entering homes and not leaving properties unattended. Homeowners are reminded that reporting tenants is their responsibility during this period, and citizens should alert the municipality or security forces if they notice anything suspicious.

The IDF – through its spokesperson in Arabic, Avichay Adraee – issues again evacuation orders for residents in southern Lebanon, including Bir al-Sanasel, Deir Kifa, Kfardounin, Shahabiya (Tayr Zebna), al-Sultaneya, Deir Antar, al-Qantara, al-Ghandouriyeh and Burj Qalaouiyeh. As a result, mass displacement movements were reported toward Saida and Beirut.

“I fled with nothing and I have nowhere to go. I had hopes I almost beat cancer. Now, I spend nights in a tent in a park, and I don’t know where I’ll find my next dose of medication or how I’ll continue my treatment,” says a 56-year-old displaced man suffering from leukaemia to MSF. Ongoing ground attacks and repeated airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, including bridges in southern Lebanon, are isolating cities and villages south of the Litani River. Dr Tejshri Shah, MSF General Director visiting Lebanon, warns that civilians who remain—whether by choice or because they cannot leave—face severe risks and calls for the protection of both people and healthcare facilities to ensure access to essential services continues.

IOM reports that according to DTM Syria, over 130,000 people crossed into the Syrian Arab Republic between 2 and 18 March. The majority are Syrians (95%), while Lebanese nationals make up around 5% of those crossing.

Megaphone met Wael and his family living in three tents facing the Beirut seafront after Israeli attacks forced them to flee their hometown of Khiam. With nowhere else to go, daily life now happens between tents and a parked car. Clothes are washed by hand and left to dry on windshield wipers, while phones are charged inside the car when possible, leaving relatives sometimes unable to reach them. The lack of toilets is their biggest struggle, and during heavy rain their tents flooded, and the tarps were blown away by the wind. Once a construction contractor, Wael lost his job and says renting a home is impossible, with prices ranging between 1,000 and 1,500 dollars and landlords demanding several months in advance. Still, he holds on to hope, saying, “These tents, I will take them back to Khiam on the last day.”

With over a million people forcibly displaced, the city’s empty buildings and public spaces remain largely off-limits. Around Beirut, various measures have restricted public and private spaces for displaced people. Barriers were set up near Al-Amin Square, fences surrounded a small building in Ain Al-Mrayseh, and a public park in Al-Sanayeh area was closed off. Security authorities have focused on protecting private properties, while in Dahyeh, during one night of mass threats, the army forcibly evacuated displaced families from the streets, directing them into designated shelter buildings. Public Studio Works emphasizes that balancing the protection of property with the urgent needs of those who have lost their homes and safety is crucial.

Rumors circulates that the head of Ras Nahash municipality had received a call from abroad ordering the evacuation of the Ghassan Saad complex, where displaced families live. The mayor of Batroun, Marcellino Hark, later denied the claim, confirming no such call was made and the building remains occupied.

A Syrian man shares that 14 years ago, he and his family fled the war in Syria for Lebanon, leaving behind their clothes and belongings. Now, history repeats itself as they are forced to flee the war in Lebanon back to Syria in the same way.

Since the first day of the war, Nejmeh Club’s football field has opened its doors to displaced families. About 42 families, totaling 178 people, have settled there, using converted spaces such as changing rooms designated for players, the gym, a lecture hall, and six offices. The club’s management has provided essentials including water, electricity, mattresses, and pillows. Children can play on the field, and a planned initiative with the players will host displaced kids from various schools to play.

Jbeil municipality issues new measures to manage displaced people and ensure public safety amid recent security threats, including targeted attacks in some areas. Property owners wishing to host or rent to displaced individuals must notify the municipality in advance and provide required information. The municipal police will increase patrols to enforce these rules, and residents are urged to report any displaced persons or outsiders nearby to support timely safety measures.

Around 12,200 displaced pregnant women are currently affected by the crisis, with an estimated 1,350 expected to give birth during March alone. Many face serious challenges, including poor nutrition and limited healthcare services inside shelters, increasing the risk of pregnancy and childbirth complications. Nearly 60 percent of pregnant women are unable to access prenatal care due to damage to health facilities and ongoing attacks, raising concerns that more women may be forced to give birth in homes or tents as access to hospitals becomes increasingly difficult.

25 March

The Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 660 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 134,601 individuals, representing 34,269 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 2,001,549 hot and cold meals, 78,705 ready to eat meals, 73,405 hygiene kits, 3,172 baby kits, 802,064 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,429 mattresses and 236,811 blankets.

Some observers have noted inaccuracies in the official DRM counts, particularly regarding the number of IDPs and their distribution in shelters. For example, on 23 March, DRM data showed a decline in the total number of IDPs registered in collective shelters, while simultaneously reporting an increase in the number of families hosted in these shelters. This discrepancy highlights the logistical and administrative challenges the government faces in accurately monitoring displacement and ensuring effective shelter management.

The situation report from UNRWA notes continued displacement of civilians within Lebanon as a result of ongoing hostilities, contributing to a large number of people fleeing their homes in search of safety. A significant proportion of affected families remain displaced, with many staying in collective shelters or with host communities as they lack secure places to return. Humanitarian actors continue to support these populations with essential services such as health, shelter, water, sanitation, and protection, though access challenges remain due to insecurity. The update highlights the urgent need to expand assistance and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid to reach all displaced groups.

OCHA reported in its Flash Update #11 the growing scale of humanitarian needs as escalation of hostilities continued across Lebanon. The ongoing violence has led to increased displacement, disruption of services, and heightened protection risks for civilians, including threats to safety, access to basic needs, and overall, well‑being. Humanitarian partners continue to monitor the situation and coordinate response efforts to address urgent needs in health, shelter, water and sanitation, and protection, though access challenges persist due to insecurity. The update underscores the urgent requirement for expanded support and safe access for humanitarian operations as the crisis deepens.

MTV conveys concerns about the possibility of Lebanon facing a total electricity blackout amid ongoing challenges in the energy sector. It highlights fears of declining power supply and rising costs, reflecting broader instability in basic service provision. Such disruptions could significantly affect displaced populations, particularly those in collective shelters, by limiting access to lighting, water systems, and essential services especially. Overall, the situation risks worsening living conditions for vulnerable groups, including IDPs, who rely heavily on already strained infrastructure.

Al- Akhbar stated that international agencies have raised concerns about Lebanon’s handling of displacement, noting weaknesses in aid distribution, food security, and shelter management. Senior officials were criticized for poor oversight and delays in providing assistance. The report highlighted inconsistent food provision and shelter conditions, threatening the health and safety of displaced populations. Overall, it calls for stronger accountability and better protection measures for vulnerable groups.

A video posted by Al-Jadeed on X reports a scandal involving a major catering restaurant contracted by the DRM to provide food for displaced people in shelters. Inspections revealed that the food was stored and handled in unsanitary conditions, posing serious health risks due to potential bacterial contamination. This situation directly threatens the health and safety of IDPs, who are already in vulnerable conditions. The case raises concerns about oversight, accountability, and the safety of humanitarian aid services.

For many children displaced by conflict in Lebanon, daily life has been disrupted, schools are closed, routines are lost and uncertainty has become the norm. In response, ADRA steps in to provide safe learning spaces, educational support, and psychosocial care, helping children cope with trauma and regain a sense of normalcy. Through these efforts, children are not only able to continue their education but also begin to rebuild a feeling of safety and stability. During crisis, such interventions offer a pathway toward resilience and hope for displaced young lives.

Across Lebanon, displaced families continue to flee their homes, settling in unfamiliar communities already under pressure. Their presence is reshaping local dynamics, sometimes creating tension between host populations and newcomers. As displacement grows, it is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a challenge to social stability. The situation reflects how deeply the crisis is affecting both displaced people and the communities receiving them.

IOM warn that thousands of people are once again on the move, crossing from Lebanon into Syria in search of stability and familiarity. In just a few weeks, more than 130,000 individuals have made this journey, often carrying little with them but uncertainty about what lies ahead. At the same time, large numbers remain displaced within Lebanon, navigating life between shelters, host communities, and temporary arrangements. These movements show how displacement is no longer a single event, but a continuous process, where people are forced to adapt repeatedly to changing conditions.

26 March

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 657 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 136,262 individuals, representing 34,973 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 2,192,090 hot and cold meals, 78,612 ready to eat meals, 78,705 hygiene kits, 3,825 baby kits, 932,930 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,459 mattresses and 236,811 blankets.

NNA reports that MP Ihab Matr visits Health Minister Rakan Nasreddin at the ministry to review the latest developments and the ministry’s ongoing efforts. The discussion highlighted the monitoring of shelters, ensuring that residents receive healthcare and essential services, and the provision of protective supplies and health surveillance to maintain their safety.

In Akkar, a total of 3,445 displaced families, amounting to 13,036 individuals, have been recorded across the governorate. Of these, 351 families (1,295 individuals) are staying in official collective shelters, while 3,094 families (11,741 individuals) are residing within host communities across various towns. A total of 22 shelters have been opened in the governorate, with 19 already at full capacity.

Caritas Lebanon announces that it will organize a humanitarian aid convoy to several border villages in southern Lebanon, to support families who have chosen to remain despite the ongoing conflict. The convoy will reach the villages of Qlaiaa, Deir Mimas, Abu Qumha, Kaukaba, Rashaya Al-Fakhar, Kfeir, Hasbaya, Al-Mari, Jdeideh Marjeyoun, Ibl Al-Saqi and Borj Al-Moulouk. Essential assistance will be distributed, including food, drinking water, medical supplies, fuel, and other basic necessities to meet the most urgent needs of residents.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdel Aati, accompanied by Egypt’s Ambassador to Lebanon Alaa Moussa, visits displacement shelters hosting many children and elderly. During the visit, Abdel Aati emphasized Egypt’s full solidarity with displaced families, affirming that Egypt will not abandon them. He noted that clear instructions have been issued to respond to any humanitarian requests from Lebanese authorities.

In a related development, the High Relief Committee announces that it received a shipment of humanitarian aid from the Arab Republic of Egypt at the Port of Beirut. The cargo includes food, relief, and medical supplies, consisting of 53 containers with an estimated total weight of 800 tons.

Ahlouna Association, under its “Relieve Lebanon” campaign, reports its assistance to displaced families from southern Lebanon in Sidon and surrounding areas since the start of the Israeli attacks. The association provided aid to 1,382 displaced individuals across three shelters in coordination with the Sidon municipality and the South Governorate Disaster Risk Management Unit. Assistance included 17,829 hot meals, food packages for 139 families, medical supplies for 19 patients, clothing for 1,630 people, holiday gifts for 247 children, and temporary shelters for 24 rooms. Additionally, water heaters were installed in a mosque in Saida to improve living conditions for residents.

Civil defense team in Tyre reports receiving Israeli threats via phone calls, instructing residents of the towns of Ma’aroub, Tireflisseh, Borj Al-Shimali, and Deir Kifa to evacuate their homes and move north of the Litani River.

The Disaster Risk Management Unit shares a link allowing the public to track the flow of aid provided to Lebanon under the 2026 Humanitarian Flash Appeal, using the United Nations’ financial tracking platform.

Around 47,110 children are currently staying in collective shelters, with 361 public schools, 74 private schools and 46 vocational training centers repurposed to accommodate displaced families. 630 displaced children, including Lebanese and non-Lebanese students as well as children with disabilities, are accessing non-formal education programs in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

Lebanon 24 reports that the Minister of Environment, Dr. Tamara Al-Zein, met with environmental associations to discuss conditions in shelters and host areas for displaced families. She noted that the crisis is putting increasing pressure on infrastructure and generating more waste, creating environmental challenges. Efforts are underway with associations to provide both humanitarian aid and environmental services in shelters across Lebanon, seeking funding to address these needs alongside relief support.

Annahar reports that journalist Aline Simaan chose to stay despite ongoing conflict in Qlaiaa, southern Lebanon, turning her kitchen into both a newsroom and a support space for her community. Alongside her husband, she provided warm meals to other journalists and displaced residents, helping sustain people’s resilience while documenting the conflict firsthand. 

Save the Children warns that nearly one in five children in Lebanon has been forced to flee their homes within a single month due to the ongoing escalation. Many children arrived at shelters carrying only a few personal belongings, reflecting the sudden nature of displacement and the loss of stability in their lives. The organization reported growing signs of exhaustion and psychological distress among displaced children. In response, child-friendly activities have been established in several shelters to provide emotional support and a sense of normalcy.

Anera reports that a significant number of residents in Palestinian refugee camps such as Al Bass, Rashidieh, and Burj Al-Shamali have chosen to stay despite evacuation warnings, highlighting hesitation among some families to leave their homes amid the ongoing situation.

“People are living under constant threat, with no clear sense of safety or what comes next,” said Magda Rossmann, IRC Country Director for Lebanon. Reports indicate a sharp increase in mental health needs, with calls to national mental health hotlines doubling during the first ten days of the escalation. According to the National Mental Health Program, more than half of callers reported severe emotional distress, while others required urgent referrals for specialized or emergency support. Displaced populations, including children, refugees, migrant workers, and persons with disabilities, face heightened risks as support systems are disrupted and access to care remains limited.

UNHCR, in cooperation with the European Union and the Governments of Ireland and Italy, announces the arrival of a humanitarian airbridge flight carrying emergency relief supplies to assist the increasing number of forcibly displaced families across Lebanon. The aid, which includes more than 36,900 essential items such as kitchen sets, blankets, and jerry cans, will be distributed through shelters and response centers to support families affected by the conflict.

Along Beirut’s waterfront, displaced families turn pavements into temporary homes. Euronews described families living in crowded spaces with little access to clean water, sanitation, or regular assistance, improvising kitchens and sleeping areas with whatever materials were available. “Even if the war stops, where would we go back to?” one displaced resident asked, capturing the uncertainty shared by many who no longer know whether their homes remain standing. As living conditions deteriorate, residents warned of rising health risks, noting that most support has come from local initiatives rather than official state assistance.

Annahar reports that Walid Jumblatt, former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, coordinated with Turkish authorities through President Recep Erdoğan’s office and obtained approval for Turkey to send prefabricated homes to provide proper shelter for families displaced from southern Lebanon.

At the Lebanese University’s faculty of letters and human sciences in Saida, displaced couple Hassan and Mariam celebrate their engagement, finding a moment of joy amid the ongoing crisis.

MTV reports that the Lebanese army and security forces have begun implementing a wide security plan across greater Beirut, with a heavy presence particularly near displacement centers. During these operations, weapons were confiscated.

The Government of the Republic of Korea announced it will provide USD 2 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Lebanon, supporting the country’s urgent needs amid the ongoing crisis.

In response to Lebanon’s growing mental health needs, Embrace is working in collective shelters across Mount Lebanon and Beirut. Teams provide children and adolescents with safe spaces to express their feelings through conversation, art, and play, offering many displaced youths their only moments of emotional relief and security.

In Bourj Hammoud, migrant workers received essential supplies to help them cover basic needs. Supported by Caritas Austria, the Amel Association continues to assist these vulnerable communities, ensuring they have access to vital aid during the ongoing crisis.

Red Tv Lebanon highlights that displaced families are struggling to stay warm amid cold, rainy storms, with many burning woods and even plastic. The tents that serve as their shelters are struggling against the weather, with wind and rain causing leaks and water to fill the interiors, leaving families to cope in increasingly harsh and unsafe conditions.

27 March

The Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 663 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 136,358 individuals, representing 35,092 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 2,192,090 hot and cold meals, 78,705 ready-to-eat meals, 86,149 hygiene kits, 4,618 baby kits, 969,725 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,505 mattresses and 236,892 blankets.

In Akkar, 13,525 displaced individuals from 3,590 families have been recorded, including 1,310 individuals (356 families) in collective shelters and 12,215 individuals (3,234 families) within host communities. A total of 22 shelters has been opened in the governorate, 19 of which have already reached full capacity, while hotlines have been introduced to facilitate communication with displaced people.

UNHCR warns that around 150,000 people in Lebanon have become isolated after key bridges were destroyed, cutting off access to essential services and aid. Amid escalating conflict, hundreds of thousands more are displaced, with children and families living in constant fear, shelters overcrowded, and basic needs like food, water, and healthcare critically strained. The agency is calling for urgent international support to prevent a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.

Two ICRC trucks made their way south along a damaged road to deliver essential medical supplies to hospitals operating under challenging conditions, thus serving those who decided to stay. The ICRC provided oxygen and other critical materials to three hospitals, supporting medical staff who are working under pressure to maintain lifesaving services. These deliveries are a key part of sustaining healthcare operations amid the ongoing strain on Lebanon’s infrastructure and healthcare system.

Al-Akhbar reports that a new wave of price hikes is quietly taking shape, expected to push many goods up by 10% to 15%, and even up to 20% for some food items. Similarly, MTV highlights that the cost of bread continues to fluctuate, directly affecting households already struggling under economic strain. Each price adjustment adds to the uncertainty of everyday survival, turning even basic necessities into a source of stress. These rising prices and unstable food markets hit the internally displaced particularly hard, as many already live in precarious conditions with limited income, rising costs for essentials like bread and basic goods increase their vulnerability, making daily survival even more uncertain.

On the healthcare side, another MTV reported from the Head of the Lebanese Pharmacists’ Syndicate who confirmed that there is no nationwide medicine shortage, with imported stocks covering around three months and local production about eight months. Temporary shortages in some areas were due to distribution and security challenges, not supply gaps, and authorities are working to secure distribution and prevent hoarding.

As reported by Al-Nahar, the government is racing to respond to a growing displacement crisis, with Social Affairs Minister Hanin El-Sayed confirming that new shelter centers are being prepared outside Beirut as the capital reaches capacity. Many displaced families, however, still prefer to remain near the city despite overcrowding, complicating relocation efforts.

In South Lebanon, a report by Lebanon24 reveals how several border villages received direct messages stating that residents could remain safely in their homes but only if displaced people currently sheltering there were to leave. This condition places communities in a difficult position, where safety becomes tied to excluding others, raising concerns about social cohesion and the reshaping of local demographics.

At the same time, Asharq Al-Awsat describes how the Lebanese army and security forces are carefully redeploying across the south, reducing their presence in exposed frontline areas under intensified Israeli strikes. Rather than a full withdrawal, this approach shows a very cautious strategy of forces to stay alongside civilians but withdraw as danger increases, seeking to avoid direct confrontation while continuing to provide protection for those who remained.

Al-Nahar reports that the Vatican’s envoy, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, moved through the border villages of South Lebanon, from Kawkaba to Marjayoun and Qlayaa, meeting residents who chose to stay. Amid destruction and uncertainty, his presence sought to reassure communities.

Ain El-Remmaneh has recently witnessed worrying incidents, with videos circulating showing some young men stopping passersby and cars to check their identities. This has raised concerns among residents, sparked questions about public safety and freedom of movement, and is also increasing tensions between the displaced and the local population.

According to Al Markazia, the General Security Directorate says that on 24 March 2026, police arrested several young people at a residential shelter in Ain al‑Mreisseh after finding them using illegal drugs inside the facility. Those detained include both Lebanese and Syrian youths including some minors and were referred, along with the seized drugs, to the central narcotics unit for further investigation under judicial supervision. Authorities also urged residents, especially displaced persons, to report any suspicious activity they witness. This situation is particularly alarming because many residents of the shelter are already struggling, especially children. The presence and movement of illegal drugs within the facility not only endangers their well-being but also undermines the perceived safety of the shelter itself.

In southern Lebanon and particularly Tyre, the destruction of bridges by Israeli strikes is compounding the danger, threatening access to essential supplies for those who remain under bombardment. Voices of exhaustion mark the experiences of those repeatedly displaced, as many can no longer recall how many times they have been forced to flee.

Across Beirut, displaced families have set up tents along the sidewalks and started to sell vegetables, coffee, and hookah, trying to pass the time and earn a livelihood in the midst of upheaval. This reflects the economic hardships the displaced are facing and how they are trying to find a way to provide for their families, especially in the difficult times they are currently living in. In the southern suburbs, some residents, refused to leave without rescuing cats and domestic animals left behind, face impossible choices between survival and attachment to their homes. Alternatively, individuals like Hassan Eid, displaced from the town of Maarakeh, move between shelters in Chhim, Burj, and Baasir, distributing goods to families who have fled their homes under fire, many arriving with nothing, some without even shoes.

28 March

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 657 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 136,148 individuals, representing 35,115.  Humanitarian assistance provided includes 2,366,154 hot and cold meals, 78,612 ready to eat meals, 78,769 hygiene kits, 4,618 baby kits, 970,385 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,653 mattresses and 236,961 blankets.

The Disaster Risk Management Unit in Saida launches a structured aid distribution program for displaced families living in residential homes across the city. Assistance began with 200 families during the first phase, with further rounds scheduled to gradually reach all registered beneficiaries. In total, 2,728 displaced families, comprising 14,188 individuals hosted within the community, are expected to receive support through the ongoing program.

The IDF set fire to several homes in the town of Adshit Al Qaser in Marjeyoun district. The incident leaves displaced families without homes to return to, further prolonging their displacement.

As part of ongoing humanitarian efforts in Jezzine and Zahrani districts, former minister Hector Hajjar, through the Al Sahra Al Khasba Association and in coordination with the Papal Mission, oversaw the distribution of food parcels to displaced families and residents in Jezzine over two days. The initiative is expected to continue next week, expanding to additional villages.

France 24 reports that many displaced children are struggling to keep up with their studies as schools have been turned into shelters or closed. Teenager Ahmad Melhem, displaced from Beirut’s southern suburbs, follows recorded lessons on a tablet inside a classroom now shared with other families, with mattresses, blankets, and a small makeshift kitchen filling the space. Internet access is limited, and the noise of families and children makes concentration difficult, forcing him to watch lessons later.

“I wish we could return to our homes and that the displacement would stop,” says nine-year-old Fatima, one of the many children uprooted by the recent war in Lebanon. While UNICEF provides essential services on the ground, the children’s greatest need remains an end to the ongoing violence.

AlJazeera reports that the hardships of displacement extend beyond losing homes, reaching deep into struggles for basic medical care. Thousands are unable to get essential treatment as the fragile health system buckles under extreme pressure. Among them, Saeed Youssef Faris, a person with a disability displaced from Maroun al-Ras, struggles to obtain his necessary medication, highlighting the broader crisis faced by displaced patients with disabilities.

Lawyer Maya Sabbagh criticizes the removal of tents in Choueifat, saying they were meant to protect displaced families from staying exposed. Security forces carried out the removal, and a judicial source explained it followed the law since the landowner had not obtained the required permit from the Mount Lebanon Governor.

Megaphone News highlights that Helem and MOSAIC have established a shelter for displaced LGBTQ+ individuals, a group often left out of the state’s emergency response. One shelter is already operational and fully occupied by eight people, while efforts are underway to open two additional shelters to meet growing needs.

L’Orient Today reports that Tyre continues to welcome displaced families in schools, cultural centers, clubs, and hotels, while some restaurants remain open and the port operates with the fishermen. Among these spaces, the Lebanese National Tiro Theater, revived by artist Qassem Istanbouli, has become a refuge for Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, Syrian, and Somali families.

In the middle of displacement in Saida, Zainab and Khalil turned their wedding into a symbol of hope. They chose to celebrate inside a shelter instead of canceling it, sharing the day with other displaced families and volunteers. The event became a moment of collective joy, showing that life and happiness can persist even amid war and hardship.

"Where can we go? We have nowhere else," families in southern Lebanon’s frontline Christian villages insist. Despite the constant danger and risks, they refuse to abandon the homes and land they built.

MSF Lebanon reports that an abandoned hospital in Ramlet al-Bayda, Beirut, has become a shelter for over 400 displaced individuals. Families are now living in spaces not meant for habitation, with little to no access to clean water, raising the risk of disease—particularly among children and the elderly. With collective shelters completely full and alternative sites located far from Beirut, the MSF Media Director for Digital Content and Editorial highlighted that access to life’s most basic necessities, such as water and hygiene, has become a daily challenge. Overcrowding is severe, and the building’s infrastructure was never designed to accommodate this number of people. MSF teams are working to close the gap by distributing clean water, improving sanitation services, and providing hygiene kits, noting that “water is the line between health and illness.”

29 March

The Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 663 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 136,147 individuals, representing 35,170 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 2,366,154 hot and cold meals, 78,769 ready-to-eat meals, 87,230 hygiene kits, 4,618 baby kits, 970,385 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,713 mattresses and 237,006 blankets.

This time again the DRM reported a decrease of IDPs in collective shelters and a rise in the number of internally displaced families in collective shelters.

Amid ongoing displacement, a school in Jdeideh and Sed El Bouchrieh has been converted into a shelter for Russian, Ukrainian, and Romanian women married to Lebanese men, along with their children. Having fled insecure border areas, these women requested a separate shelter, citing differences in habits and ways of living. This arrangement highlights that displacement experiences are not uniform, and that social and cultural factors can shape how affected populations seek support. 

As heavy rains, strong winds, and snow sweep again across Lebanon, internally displaced families in informal settlements face heightened risks from flooding and damaged shelters to disrupted access to basic services. 

Thousands of displaced families in Lebanon are unable to secure shelter as housing options shrink and rents surge beyond affordability. Many are left sleeping in cars, on the streets, or in overcrowded spaces, highlighting the severity of the housing shortage. The situation underscores how displacement is rapidly turning into a crisis of access to basic living conditions.

The ongoing war in Lebanon has slammed school doors shut for hundreds of thousands of students, with many schools repurposed as shelters for displaced families and classroom walls replaced by mattresses and blankets. Children like 17‑year‑old Ahmad struggle to follow lessons on tablets without internet or quiet space, determined not to lose their education despite displacement, overcrowded conditions, and interruptions to learning opportunities—which risks an entire generation falling behind. UNICEF warns that nearly half a million students are out of school, and disruptions to education today could have lasting effects on children’s futures.

In Lebanon, Catholic communities celebrated Palm Sunday with prayers and gatherings even as the looming threat of war and ongoing conflict overshadowed the celebrations, illustrating how deeply daily life and spiritual practices are affected by insecurity and violence. Worshippers in churches across the country showed resilience and solidarity, reflecting broader fears and hardships shared by civilians amid heightened tension and instability.

In southern Lebanon, Christian villagers living on the front lines of the conflict are making the difficult choice to stay, despite the constant risks to their safety. For these residents, leaving would mean more than just fleeing danger. It could mean losing their homes and the land that has been in their families for generations. The report highlights the deep attachment to place and the difficult trade-offs communities face when survival and heritage collide.

In the midst of widespread displacement and humanitarian need in Lebanon, the Sursock Museum sparked controversy after appealing for funds to protect its art collection. The message, quickly withdrawn, was criticized as out of touch with the reality of families struggling to find shelter. The incident ignited a broader debate over priorities in times of crisis—between responding to urgent human needs and preserving cultural heritage.

In a moment that blends hardship with solidarity, a team from MTV visited displaced families, to share a small gesture of support, they distributed traditional maamoul to those forced from their homes.

The Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications is actively working to maintain networks and address faults across the country, including in areas with high numbers of displaced families. As some families chose to stay in their villages despite the risks, fearing that communication services outage will cut them off from essential services, communication, and access to aid. This underscores how connectivity and infrastructure are crucial for both IDPs and residents, shaping their decisions to stay put or move.

At the same time, in towns like Dibl, residents are facing severe disruptions to access basic supplies such as food, fuel, and water, highlighting how cut-offs in essential goods and services amplify vulnerabilities. Just as connectivity influences displacement decisions, limited access to markets and aid shapes whether families stay or are forced to move, reinforcing the critical link between infrastructure, services, and humanitarian needs.

30 March

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports that 669 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 136,156 individuals, representing 35,178 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 2,924,413 hot and cold meals, 78,801 ready to eat meals, 91,625 hygiene kits, 4,807 baby kits, 1,098,211 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,702 mattresses and 237,005 blankets.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chairs the daily ministerial meeting at the Grand Serail to discuss the growing displacement crisis. He warned that current aid remains insufficient to meet rising needs, as displacement increases alongside economic pressure and online incitement. Salam confirmed that fuel assistance will be delivered under strict monitoring to prevent misuse. The Minister of Social Affairs Hanin El Sayed called for greater international support to address humanitarian needs.

Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar is looking into a case of suspected diesel fraud at a shelter in the Beqaa. He stresses that essential supplies must reach displaced families transparently and fairly. Preliminary findings show irregularities in the amounts delivered, and several people have been detained as investigations continue, including testing the diesel to ensure its quality.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met with MP Osama Saad to discuss the displacement crisis and the urgent need to provide basic support for displaced families. They also emphasized improving coordination between authorities to help these families cope with the ongoing challenges.

In Saida, the Youth and Sports Committee has been organizing weekly sports and recreational activities for children and youth in the city’s displacement centers. These programs aim to support their mental and social well-being, combining physical exercises, games, and team-building activities to bring joy and strengthen cooperation among displaced children.

UNHCR, together with the European Union and the Governments of Ireland and Italy, receives the fifth humanitarian airbridge flight carrying urgently needed relief supplies to Lebanon. The aid will support the growing number of displaced families, with items distributed through shelters and response centers to help those affected by the conflict.

Caritas Lebanon sends a humanitarian convoy to several towns in southern Lebanon, including Tyre, Addoussiyeh, Al-Hajjeh, Kfarwa, and Al-Aishiya. The convoy, led by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Paolo Borgia and accompanied by a delegation from the Maronite League, delivered essential supplies to families determined to stay in their villages despite the crisis, helping them meet urgent needs and continue living on their land.

In Naqoura, the IDF set fire to several homes, leaving displaced families with no possibility of returning and prolonging their uncertainty.

For the second time in less than two years, Basmala grabbed whatever clothes and documents she could carry, rushing to safety without a second thought. This time, she headed straight to the UNRWA emergency shelter in Nahr el-Bared Camp, where she and other displaced families received immediate support. Thousands of Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian refugees find refuge in these shelters, getting protection, basic aid, and psychosocial support. Basmala’s daughter, “Malak”, now a toddler, still senses the fear around her, showing how repeated displacement has become a hard reality for many families across Lebanon.

The Israeli evacuation orders in southern Lebanon raise serious legal concerns, as they are broad, repetitive, and not limited to immediate danger zones. This transforms what should be a temporary protective measure into a tool pressuring entire communities into displacement, with little guarantee of return. Under international humanitarian law, civilian evacuations must be necessary for urgent military reasons and temporary. Additionally, shelters must be secured, and residents must be allowed to return once operations end. Current evidence shows these standards are not being met, with bombardments targeting the evacuated areas themselves and statements about “buffer zones” suggesting the goal may be long-term demographic change rather than civilian protection.

Around 1.6 million Lebanese are forcibly displaced due to the ongoing Israeli attacks, including 370,000 children. Most live in tents or overcrowded shelters, which suffer from poor conditions, limited privacy, weak sanitation, and shortages of food and medical supplies. Some displaced people even choose to live in tents outside shelters because conditions inside are so harsh. International funding covers less than a third of the actual needs, and around 85 percent of displaced families rely on their own resources rather than UN or government support.

The IDF – through its spokesperson in Arabic, Avichay Adraee – issues evacuation orders for the Beqaa, including villages of Zillaya, Libbaya, Yohmor (West Beqaa), Sohmor (West Beqaa), Qalya, and Dallafa. As a result, residents from these villages began fleeing toward the north of Qaraoun. Many residents had already left their homes since the early days of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The Head of Beirut municipality visits several displacement centers to check on the conditions and needs of displaced families, reflecting the municipality’s efforts to fill part of the gap in managing the crisis.

President Joseph Aoun states: “It is our duty to serve the Lebanese people and our displaced people, especially in light of the difficult circumstances.”

UN Women highlights that over 620,000 women and girls have been displaced by the latest conflict in Lebanon, spanning Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, and migrant communities. Around 85 per cent are living outside formal shelters, often in overcrowded apartments or informal settlements, struggling to access food, healthcare, and hygiene supplies. Many women skip meals to feed their children, elderly women lack essential medication, and some pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsafe conditions. Despite these challenges, women remain at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, supporting displaced families and helping communities survive amid the crisis.

In Tyre, displaced families are seeking safety in schools converted into temporary shelters as fighting continues to escalate. 50-year-old Mustafa Ibrahim al-Sayyed fled Beit Lif with his family, describing life in the shelters as difficult and uncertain, with children unable to leave due to insecurity. Deputy Head of Tyre Municipality, Alwan Sharafeddine, reported that 20,000 to 25,000 people have been displaced across the governorate, with about 4,000 in formal shelters and the rest staying with host families or in their own homes.

In Beirut, a displaced pregnant woman at a university went into labor without realizing it. Amid the fear of displacement, she faced the challenges of childbirth with only her mother by her side for support. The moment highlighted not just the struggle of giving birth under such conditions, but also the emotional toll of displacement and the uncertainties of becoming a mother in the midst of crisis.

“Who supports displaced families living in private homes?” Over 700,000 people have avoided formal shelters, staying instead in private apartments or with host families. Thousands of families have opened their homes, sharing resources despite already struggling with high costs of living, while official aid systems largely overlook them. Hosting an extra family can double monthly expenses, yet most households cannot meet basic needs. At the same time, reports indicate that some shelters have surplus aid while families in homes face shortages, highlighting the urgent need to redirect support. Without action, prolonged displacement risks worsening social tensions and threatening community stability.

As displacement continues, the Saida municipality launches an emergency initiative to support families temporarily living in the streets and public squares. With official shelters at full capacity, municipal officials Maajid Abdel Jawad and Wael Qasab oversaw the distribution of shower vouchers to ensure basic hygiene and public health for those without shelter. The initiative is a temporary measure while logistical efforts continue to secure alternative accommodation for displaced families.

Lawyer Maya Al-Sabbagh reports that after shelters for displaced families in Choueifat were destroyed, she appealed to Parliament speaker Nabih Berri for urgent intervention. In response, he quickly arranged for two plots of land in Bir Hassan to be used for temporary shelters, providing new safe spaces for displaced families. Al-Sabbagh thanked him for the prompt action in resolving the issue.

Prices for food, fuel, vegetables, and other essentials have risen again, while salaries, transport allowances, and the minimum wage remain unchanged. This further worsens conditions for displaced families and low-income households struggling to cover basic needs.

“Truck of Love” is a mobile relief initiative launched by social media creators to support families displaced by the ongoing conflict. The project brings essential supplies, including food, clothing, medicine, and other basic necessities, directly to people most in need.

31 March

The Disaster Risk Management Unit reports that 669 collective shelters have been opened. The total number of internally displaced people in collective shelters is 136,201 individuals, representing 35,419 families. Humanitarian assistance provided includes 2,924,413 hot and cold meals, 78,801 ready to eat meals, 99,120 hygiene kits, 5,381 baby kits, 1,132,492 litters of drinking water, as well as 182,776 mattresses and 237,119 blankets.

Legal Agenda follows the previous polemic about opening a new shelter in Quarantina, a topic that had been sensitive in recent weeks, which quickly spiralled into fear-mongering and sectarian anxieties. What should have been a practical debate on protection turned into a fraught clash of narratives, with some actors amplifying concerns to serve broader divisions.

Anadolu Agency reports that Israeli airstrikes hit Mansourieh, a predominantly Christian district northeast of Beirut, marking the first time this area has been targeted since the escalation began. This attack reflects the widening of the conflict beyond traditional frontlines, signaling that no area of Beirut is now immune and heightening fear among civilians across religious and geographic lines.

Nabd recounts how residents of frontline southern villages refuse to abandon their homes despite escalating threats. As occupation lines approach the Litani and evacuations increase, families in places like Rmeish choose to stay, holding onto their land. Their quiet defiance reflects a deep attachment to home and community, even in the face of uncertainty.

LBCI reports the growing alarm among residents of southern villages like Dibl, Ain Ebel, and Rmeish, who urged the Lebanese President and Interior Minister to prevent the withdrawal of the army and security forces. As it will force around 500 people including military personnel, security forces, and their families to leave their homes. The appeal came after the army redeployed south of the Litani River, leaving villagers anxious but determined to stay.

Fathers, mothers, and elders alike express a deep attachment to their homes and lands, refusing to abandon the places where generations of their families have lived. Father Najib Al-Amil reflects this determination, showing that leaving is not an option for them, even amid escalating tensions and uncertainty.

El Nashra highlights the mounting pressure in Chouf, where over 130,000 displaced people from southern Lebanon have crowded areas already struggling to provide services and space. The report follows MP Bilal Abdullah calling on authorities to redirect the influx to other regions before local institutions collapse under the growing needs.

In Baalbak, families fleeing violence have taken shelter in a local church. The video shows people supporting one another, sharing what little they have amid uncertainty. Amid chaos outside, the church provides a small space where families can feel some safety, and where fear is met with care and hardship with quiet determination.

The UNHCR reports that over 200,000 people crossed from Lebanon into Syria in March amid the current escalation of hostilities, marking a sharp rise in cross‑border displacement. The majority, about 180,000, are Syrians, including refugees who had previously fled to Lebanon and are now forced to flee again, while more than 28,000 Lebanese have also crossed the border seeking safety. Many arrivals carry very few possessions, and UNHCR is providing emergency aid at border points and in destination areas.

A Syrian influencer delivers an urgent humanitarian appeal on behalf of displaced Syrians living in makeshift tents in Beirut, enduring harsh conditions with minimal access to basic needs. While some humanitarian actors provide limited aid, she called out the absence of coordinated support from official Syrian entities. The message calls on institutions, organizations, and influencers to take responsibility and respond with dignity and compassion to this overlooked crisis.