MSF Response to the War in Lebanon

Humanitarian Impact

The humanitarian impact of the war in Lebanon is devastating. The scale of displacement has far exceeded the country’s capacity to provide shelter and basic necessities. Thousands have fled their homes with nothing, and many have lost their livelihoods, creating an urgent need for supplies such as mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, medical care, and mental health support.

The shortage of available shelters has intensified discrimination and exclusion, particularly affecting minority groups such as Palestinian and Syrian refugees and migrant workers. Adding to the crisis, sweeping evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces are forcing people to flee, further destabilizing lives and compounding the crisis.

Mass evacuations, such as those observed in Baalbek, often fail to meet the standard of an effective evacuation order, which requires warnings to be concrete, actionable, and allow civilians adequate time to move to safer areas. 

Amid the ongoing violence and uncertainty, any sense of normalcy has been shattered. Families already struggling with survival face immense psychological burdens, living in constant fear and insecurity.

Challenges to Access Healthcare

The current situation in Lebanon is compounding an ongoing humanitarian crisis, further intensifying pre-existing needs across the country. Long strained by economic hardship, the healthcare system is now under immense pressure as facilities grapple with surging demands to meet the medical needs of displaced populations.

The intensifying Israeli airstrikes and so-called evacuation orders are further disrupting healthcare access. Since mid-September 2024, the Surveillance System for Attacks on Healthcare (SSA) has reported 44 incidents targeting healthcare facilities, resulting in 63 injuries and 91 deaths. These relentless assaults have significantly weakened the capacity of the healthcare system to provide care and limited people’s access to essential medical services.

The displacement crisis has led to cases of communicable diseases, such as scabies, with one confirmed case of cholera reported on October 16. Overcrowded shelters and inadequate water and sanitation conditions further increase the risk of infectious diseases, including diarrhea and skin infections, underscoring the need for comprehensive health and hygiene support.

Displacement has also disrupted access to essential medications for people with non-communicable diseases. Many individuals now face challenges in managing chronic conditions such as epilepsy, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and pulmonary disease.

In response, MSF is collaborating and coordinating closely with the Ministry of Public Health and all other health actors to ensure medical and humanitarian supplies, and medical staff are available and well-placed. Simultaneously, our teams are constantly assessing and monitoring health related developments and needs.