The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for USD 19 million to scale up its emergency response in Lebanon, where the number of people forced to flee their homes has surged to nearly one million people following a sharp escalation of hostilities since 2 March.
"For many families, this is not the first time they have been forced to flee. Repeated displacement has left people struggling to meet even the most basic needs," said IOM Director General Amy Pope. "As numbers rise rapidly, families urgently need safe shelter, clean water, health care and protection. IOM is appealing for immediate support to deliver lifesaving assistance and reach those hit hardest by this crisis."
Evacuation orders across towns and villages in southern Lebanon, parts of the Bekaa Valley, and areas of Beirut have triggered mass displacement, pushing families to seek safety wherever possible. Over 128,000 people are currently staying in collective shelters, a number that continues to grow each day. However, the majority of those displaced have sought refuge with relatives and host communities, while others are sleeping in cars or out in the open along streets.
Host communities across the country are also under immense strain. The sudden influx of displaced families is placing significant pressure on local infrastructure, housing, and public services, further stretching resources in areas already grappling with economic hardship.
IOM's appeal aims to reach over one million people affected by the crisis over the next three months, providing lifesaving support including emergency shelter, clean water, protection services, and health assistance, while ensuring that migrants and other vulnerable groups are included in the response. The response will also strengthen displacement tracking systems to ensure accurate, real-time data that can guide humanitarian operations and help partners respond effectively to rapidly evolving needs.
The Appeal supports the response led by the Government of Lebanon, including the Ministry of Social Affairs, and aligns with the UN-Government of Lebanon Inter-Agency Flash Appeal launched today that seeks USD 308.3 Million.
IOM teams are already working on the ground, delivering emergency shelter support, core relief items, protection, health and psychosocial assistance to displaced families, but the scale of needs is rising rapidly.
Without urgent funding, humanitarian operations risk being severely limited at a critical moment. As the conflict enters its second week following the latest escalation, response capacity is already overstretched, while needs are quickly outpacing available resources.
IOM calls on the international community to act now, as immediate support is critical to ensure that families who have lost everything receive the protection and assistance they urgently need.
