Lebanon struggles to cope as over a million people flee Israel’s military invasion

The Lebanese authorities, communities and humanitarian agencies are struggling to shelter and provide the necessities of life to over one million people fleeing Israel’s airstrikes and invasion in the south, Oxfam said today.

Oxfam is working with local partners in Lebanon and alongside other aid agencies as part of the government’s humanitarian response plan.

Oxfam assessments in shelters across Lebanon have found people most need mattresses, bedding, and cooking and sanitation items. Women also need sanitary pads, towels and underwear. Oxfam and partners have started distributing some of this aid as well as water.

Gheith Bittar, Executive Director for Oxfam partner SHIFT - Social Innovation Hub, said more displaced people are arriving by the day and he fears shelters may buckle under the strain. Bittar said:

“The shelters are not ready to host the number of displaced people and 629 are already full. They are public schools that are not equipped to be shelters and we are facing problems. For example, we don’t have hot water for showers. We will get to a point where we won’t be able to cope. Without funds, we cannot sustain our support to the shelters. The ground invasion will only increase the number of people forced to flee, and we have already seen an increase on a daily basis with the continuous bombardment. The situation will only get worse as winter approaches.

“People are coming to us traumatised. Most of them have lost their houses and relatives. Some of them were scared because of the scale of bombardment as they were fleeing, and many others because of their fear of the unknown coming to a new city. People are suffering, they have many, many issues to think about.”

Oxfam warns that without a ceasefire Israel’s invasion in southern Lebanon will likely lead to a further escalation of the conflict and cause even more destruction of communities and inflame an already volatile region.

Bachir Ayoub, Oxfam’s Lebanon Country Director, said: “The ground invasion and bombardment that includes Beirut and the southern suburbs will create a serious challenge for the humanitarian system in a few short days. People are being forced to flee with little to no notice, and often having to leave everything behind, to shelters that are inadequate, or share crowded homes with few essential supplies. No one knows when they can return. Without a ceasefire the number of people desperately in need will only grow, as will their needs. The shelter system is set to collapse if there is no peace.”

Oxfam is appealing for donations globally. Ayoub said: “The needs of people in Lebanon who’ve been injured, traumatised and displaced, in fear of what the future might hold for them, are already huge. No solution other than a ceasefire can alleviate the crisis they are facing.

“There must be an end to this violence. All parties must stop fighting. We need safe space to get people the aid they need.”

Ends

Contact Information

For interviews, please contact Oxfam GB’s Media team at media.unit@oxfam.org.uk, 07748 761999

Notes to editors

Oxfam has worked in Lebanon since 1993, in partnership with local organisations, to support disadvantaged people with cash, clean water and proper sanitation, as well as income-generating opportunities, advocating for women’s rights and reproductive health services and renewable energy solutions.

We also work with Syrian and Palestinian refugees, as well as Lebanese communities, including people with disabilities and migrant workers.

We work with local partner organisations in North Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut who deeply understand the needs of the communities they are part of.

Over the past decade, we have responded to the multiple crises Lebanon has faced, including the Syria crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut Blast, the Economic crisis, the 2022 cholera outbreak and violent conflicts.