South Lebanon (Enmaeya News) — Thousands of families displaced by last year’s war in South Lebanon are struggling to prove ownership of homes and land they lost, according to a new report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The assessment, carried out across southern Lebanon in mid-2025, found that many households either lost their property deeds or saw documents damaged beyond use. In several villages, land registry offices were also destroyed, making verification nearly impossible.

Without proof of ownership, families risk losing access to reconstruction aid and face potential legal disputes. Aid agencies typically require property papers to provide housing support or compensation, leaving undocumented families vulnerable to exclusion from recovery programs and even eviction.

The IOM report cited several challenges in re-issuing property papers, including the high costs of obtaining deeds and surveying land, the damage or closure of government offices in affected regions, complex legal procedures combined with overlapping land claims, and limited awareness among residents about how to begin the process.

The agency urged Lebanese authorities to simplify procedures, reduce fees and deploy mobile teams to help residents replace lost documents. Humanitarian groups also called for temporary legal measures recognizing alternative proof of ownership — such as copies or witness testimony — to avoid further delays.

The lack of documentation, the report warned, is slowing reconstruction efforts and preventing many families from returning home.