An update from Beirut, Lebanon

As the situation continues to escalate across the Middle East, Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR representative, shares an update from on the ground in Beirut.

Karolina shared an urgent briefing on the latest situation on the ground:

“I’m here in the heart of Beirut at a Government designated collective shelter that’s hosting around 300 internally displaced people who have fled to Beirut, just since Monday, following Israeli airstrikes and warnings to evacuate.

“In a matter of hours, thousands of people were uprooted across southern Lebanon, Beirut southern suburbs and the Bekaa. Families left behind their homes, all their belongings and their sense of normalcy.

“From the very first moment of this escalation, UNHCR mobilised. Under the leadership of the Lebanese Government and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Government’s Disaster Risk Management Unit, we moved quickly to support families who were fleeing in search of safety.”

We are also hearing from people fleeing, like Haniya, a displaced Lebanese woman who spoke with our local team: “From the south to Beirut, the road was very difficult especially for children, the elderly women and men and for everyone. We stayed 18 hours on the road because of the traffic. It was very tiring.”

Karolina reported that within the first two days of the escalation, UNHCR teams mobilised 5,000 emergency supplies for shelters hosting displaced families in Beirut.

People gather at the Masnaa border point in Lebanon as they wait to cross into Syria. © UNHCR

Distributions are also underway to more than 50 collective shelters across Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the South, the Bekaa and the North.

UNHCR stands ready to scale up its support but sustained international solidarity and support to Lebanon is critical to ensure that displaced families, Lebanese and refugees alike receive protection, assistance and dignity.

And most of all, civilians must be protected at all times. UNHCR will continue to stand with the people in Lebanon.

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To find out more about the situation in the Middle East and how you can help, visit our website here.