Water Scarcity and Drought Preparedness & Response (2025), published by the Lebanon Humanitarian Country Team, including UN agencies such as UNHCR and UNICEF, highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to address drought and water scarcity in Lebanon, emphasizing multi-sectoral interventions to protect vulnerable populations and maintain essential services.
Key Insights
Vulnerability & Impact
• Population at Risk: Approximately 1.85 million people live in areas highly vulnerable to drought, with significant risks to livelihoods, health, and food security.
• Economic & Humanitarian Costs: Around USD 100 million is required for a multi-sectoral response, including USD 42.2 million for urgent Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) interventions.Frameworks & Practices
• Targeted Interventions: The report outlines sector-specific response measures, prioritizing immediate WaSH needs while supporting longer-term water resource management and resilience building.
• Coordination & Planning: Emphasizes the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration among government, UN agencies, and humanitarian partners to ensure effective and timely responses.Challenges & Recommendations
• Resource Mobilization: Securing sufficient funding and technical support is critical to implement both urgent and medium-term interventions.
• Integrated Approach: Addressing water scarcity and drought requires balancing humanitarian assistance with sustainable water management strategies to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience.
