There are many different factors contributing to instability in Lebanon today. In addition to being affected by the wider regional crisis — including the ongoing war in Gaza and the West Bank, which started in October 2023 — Lebanon is also grappling with the consequences of political change in Syria, marked by the return of some Syrian refugees and the arrival of new groups and minorities fleeing intercommunal clashes. These challenges come on top of the country’s long-standing economic, political, and social crisis that has held Lebanon in a state of paralysis since 2019.
Furthermore, recent weeks have been marked by heightened tension as domestic and foreign policy have become increasingly intertwined. This has culminated in the Lebanese government’s decision to centralize all military forces under state authority, effectively disarming any groups not officially recognized by government institutions. The potential consequences of implementing such a plan could destabilize the country’s already fragile political and social balance.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis has deepened since the beginning of 2025, according to figures released by the World Bank. The damage caused by the conflict is estimated at approximately $12 billion, with around $9 billion required for recovery and reconstruction efforts. This is unfolding in a country where, according to the latest Lebanon Response Plan approved by the Government of Lebanon and the United Nations, 3.6 million Lebanese citizens are in need of humanitarian assistance, alongside more than 700,000 registered Syrian refugees and 200,000 Palestinian refugees.
Food security among the population remains alarming, as it continues to be undermined by the effects of conflict, inflation, economic stagnation, and rising deficits. The latest analyses project that by October 2025, 1.24 million people—representing 23% of the population—will face severe food insecurity, up from 1.17 million in recent months.
As a humanitarian organization that has been operating in the country for many years, INTERSOS has witnessed firsthand the Lebanese crisis and the immense challenges faced by the population across the country—particularly in the south, where, despite the ceasefire that came into effect in November 2024 and Israel’s partial withdrawal from certain areas, hostilities have never fully ceased.
To date, Israel still maintains seven positions in southern Lebanon. Since January 2025, more than 200 people have lost their lives as a result of military attacks. The number of internally displaced persons forced to flee their homes and villages due to the conflict is estimated at 82,700, while approximately 981,500 people have returned in recent months (figures updated as of June 2025).
Survival remains extremely precarious in villages located within 4 km of the Blue Line—the boundary drawn by the United Nations in 2000 to separate southern Lebanon from northern Israel—which today are at the mercy of ongoing conflict. Israeli forces have sought to prevent Lebanese citizens from returning to these border communities, carrying out attacks that have directly affected farming, herding, and fishing livelihoods, while also imposing restrictions on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of homes.
The situation in northern Lebanon is equally complex, marked by intercommunal tensions amplified by the influx of new arrivals from Syria. This growing pressure is straining the already fragile coexistence between different Lebanese sects, host communities, and refugees, while further worsening the area’s already precarious economic conditions.
In response, Lebanese authorities—through the General Security Office—announced administrative facilitation for voluntary returns between July and September 2025. In parallel, UNHCR launched two time-bound tracks: a Self-Organized Voluntary Return (from 1 July) and, in partnership with IOM, an Organized Voluntary Return (from late July/early August). Both initiatives provide counselling and documentation support and include a one-off $100 cash grant per returning individual in Lebanon, along with additional assistance upon arrival in Syria. These programmes are coordinated closely with Lebanese authorities.
Despite these measures, conditions inside Syria mean that large-scale, sustainable returns remain unlikely in the near term. Meanwhile, a recent wave of violence and instability in southern Syria, particularly in al-Suwaida, has pushed new arrivals into parts of Lebanon—especially areas with Druze communities—placing additional strain on host populations and heightening intercommunal tensions.
In the midst of Lebanon’s ongoing crisis, INTERSOS continues to operate in some of the country’s most affected areas, delivering lifesaving assistance to both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese families. Our response spans the Protection, Shelter, and WASH sectors, with a strong focus on addressing urgent needs.
Support includes emergency cash to help households meet their basic needs, psychosocial assistance for those coping with trauma, shelter repairs, and the rehabilitation of critical water and sanitation infrastructure. We prioritize reaching the most vulnerable—survivors of gender-based violence, people left homeless, children engaged in labour, as well as elderly and chronically ill individuals.
Legal aid is integrated throughout our programming, ensuring families can secure access to education for children, healthcare for adults, and other essential services. In southern Lebanon, our teams have been working intensively for several months to rehabilitate and renovate homes damaged by conflict. Where reconstruction is not yet possible, we provide financial support to enable displaced families to rent safe and dignified accommodation.
However, the needs of affected populations remain urgent, particularly for those displaced persons who have been living for months in precarious conditions, such as temporary shelters set up in school buildings. The upcoming start of the school year on 15 September poses an additional challenge, as families will be forced to vacate these spaces and seek alternative housing—something most cannot afford due to limited financial resources.
To address this, INTERSOS continues to advocate for and provide support aimed at ensuring that these families have access to safe shelter and essential services. It is equally vital to restore access to education for children and adolescents whose schooling has been disrupted by the conflict.