The United Nations has significantly increased its aid appeal for Lebanon, more than doubling the requested amount to nearly $640 million to address a worsening humanitarian crisis driven by the ongoing conflict with Israel.
The revised appeal, issued by the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, highlights the severe and deteriorating situation in Lebanon, which has been impacted by repeated displacements, insufficient shelter capacity, and limited prospects for safe return for its population. OCHA warned that affected individuals are rapidly depleting their coping mechanisms, while essential services are under considerable strain.
Initially, the UN had appealed for $308 million in March to support emergency response efforts through May. The updated appeal necessitates an additional $331 million to extend assistance through the end of August. To date, only $185 million of the original appeal has been received, which supported approximately 680,000 people between March 2 and May 31.
The expanded funding aims to assist a total of 1.4 million people in Lebanon, representing about a quarter of the country's population, who are estimated to require humanitarian aid. Lebanon reports that Israeli attacks have resulted in over 3,500 fatalities since Hezbollah became involved in the broader Middle East conflict on March 2.
The conflict has led to nearly one million people being displaced from their homes, and more than 1.2 million individuals are facing acute food insecurity. The appeal also noted a significant increase in the cost of living, with prices for water, fuel, and electricity rising by over a third nationally, and as much as 70 percent in conflict-affected regions. Furthermore, the healthcare system is under immense pressure, with 62 hospitals and health facilities either damaged or closed. Approximately 450 schools are currently being used to shelter displaced persons, exacerbating concerns about learning loss and school drop-out rates.
