BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen El Sayed, announced that the government will begin transferring cash assistance to 50,000 displaced families as authorities respond to the growing humanitarian impact of recent security developments.

Speaking from the Grand Serail, Minister El Sayed described the situation as “a devastating scene” following evacuation warnings issued to residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

“We are facing a horrific situation after our people in the southern suburbs were warned to evacuate,” she said, adding that state institutions are operating at the highest level of readiness. “We are in urgent need of national solidarity.”

Minister El Sayed said the government has opened all public schools and universities across the country as temporary shelters to accommodate families fleeing affected areas.

She urged newly displaced families to relocate to northern regions and other areas with greater capacity to receive them.

“We call on families who were displaced today to head toward the North, Akkar, and the Bekaa, where there is greater capacity to host them,” she said.

The minister also announced preparations for additional large-scale shelter sites, including the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Charles Helou Bus Station, and the Dbayeh Olympic Swimming Pool.

Minister El Sayed added that the Ministry of Social Affairs will soon launch an online registration link allowing displaced families to sign up so authorities can maintain contact with them and facilitate the distribution of future assistance.

The cash transfers are expected to support tens of thousands of households as Lebanon braces for a potential increase in internal displacement.