What's happening in Lebanon?
While the war in Gaza continues to take a devastating toll, the violence has escalated in Lebanon and across the wider region. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have forced more than 200,000 people to flee their homes.
Two hundred thousand people are in need of humanitarian aid.
Without enough food, water, shelter and medicine, conditions will become unliveable for people who have fled.
Lebanon has faced crisis after crisis in recent years: a refugee crisis from the war in Syria, COVID-19, the Beirut Blast in 2020, a cholera outbreak in 2022, violent conflicts and an ongoing economic crisis which has resulted in skyrocketing poverty and the collapse of essential public services.
It can’t afford to bear the weight of this added disaster on its own.
Here’s what’s happening, and what you can do to help.
Last updated 27 September 2024
This conflict was predictable and avoidable. It is the result of the failure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. For decades, the people of Lebanon have endured one crisis after another without getting the opportunity to fully recover. This latest emergency will only deepen the existing challenges facing the people of Lebanon and further destabilize an already volatile region.”
- Oxfam’s Lebanon Country Director Bachir Ayoub
What is Oxfam doing?
Oxfam has worked with partners and local organisations in Lebanon since 1993. Today we work with 30 partner organisations in North Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut. We work with Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon as well as Lebanese communities.
The partner organisations Oxfam works with in Lebanon deeply understand the needs of the communities they are part of. This includes work with people with disabilities and with people who are migrant workers.
Together we’re supporting people with emergency cash, food, clean, safe water and sanitation, hygiene and menstrual kits.
What needs to happen now?
- An immediate and permanent ceasefire
- The protection of all civilians
- The UK to stop all arms sales to Israel immediately
- All breaches of international law, in all forms, must end
- Work towards de-escalation of hostilities and a lasting and just peace for all people in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region
The international community, including the UK, must condemn this escalation and take bold action to help stop it now. They must use all means at their disposal to secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, as this is the only way to stop the death and destruction in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel and across the wider region, and stop any further escalation of violence.
Israel continues to act with impunity. It must be held to account for its actions in both Lebanon and Gaza. All parties must abide by international humanitarian law, and be held to account where potential violations have occurred.
Meanwhile, the UK continues to fuel the crisis by allowing the sale of arms to Israel. The recently announcement of a partial suspension of some arms licences from the UK is not enough. If the UK is serious about wanting to stop the crisis in Lebanon and Gaza, it must do more and stop all arms sales immediately.
This further escalation in violence in Lebanon underscores the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
What you can do to help
- Donate to our Gaza-Lebanon Appeal.
- Join our call for a ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region.