UNRWA Emergency Response for Displaced Families in Lebanon – Flash Update #1 provides a snapshot of the humanitarian response following the escalation of hostilities in early March 2026. It highlights the opening of emergency shelters, the registration of displaced families, and the delivery of essential services, including health care, food, and psychosocial support, particularly for Palestine Refugees and other vulnerable populations.
Key Insights
Emergency Shelters Activated: UNRWA opened shelters in Siblin (Saida Area) and Nahr el-Bared (North Tripoli), serving over 1,300 displaced people by 6 March, with ongoing registration and tracking.
Mass Displacement: Hostilities since 1 March, including missile and drone attacks by Hezbollah and subsequent Israeli airstrikes, triggered evacuation orders for over 50 towns and villages, displacing tens of thousands, including over 95,000 individuals documented in official shelters.
Health Services: Despite temporary closures due to insecurity, 16 of 26 UNRWA health clinics remain operational, with mobile health units providing consultations, medicine, and hygiene kits to displaced families; no infectious disease outbreaks reported.
Protection and Humanitarian Access: Overcrowding in shelters and unpredictable security conditions have created secondary displacement dynamics, while UNRWA works with Lebanese authorities and partners to ensure civilian protection and coordinated service delivery.
Partnership and Coordination: UNRWA coordinates with IOM, UNICEF, WFP, NRC, Al Jana, and other NGOs to provide food, non-food items, psychosocial support, and ready-to-eat meals, while aligning its response with the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund 2026 and the Lebanon Response Plan 2026.
Operational Challenges: Limited access, damaged infrastructure, fuel and equipment shortages, and security constraints continue to impact aid delivery, health services, and logistics.
