Middle East: Action Against Hunger mobilizes its emergency teams amid regional escalation 

For civilian populations, the ongoing fighting is fueling deep concerns, particularly among families who are already displaced or have sought refuge, as they fear that further violence will further worsen their already precarious living conditions.  

Lebanon: Emergency Aid for Displaced Populations  

In Lebanon, Action Against Hunger immediately activated its emergency response mechanisms and conducted rapid assessments to identify priority needs.  

Mass displacement is creating significant humanitarian needs across the country, particularly in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Many collective centers there are already operating beyond their capacity, while families are living outside formal shelter systems, taking refuge in vehicles or makeshift spaces. Immediate priorities include shelter, access to basic services, food aid, and emergency medical care, while also supporting host communities that are taking in displaced people. Teams have launched a multisectoral response to support displaced people housed in collective centers across nine governorates, including in hard-to-reach areas such as Hasbaya in the Nabatiyeh Governorate. 

This response includes the provision of safe drinking water, the establishment of sanitation services, and the distribution of essential items. Emergency nutritional care is provided to children under five as well as to pregnant and breastfeeding women, while specific support is provided for high-risk pregnancies in the affected areas. The organization is also preparing to strengthen emergency services at three additional hospitals in Saida, in West Bekaa, and in Hermel. 

Iraq: Anticipating Needs to Protect Communities  

The situation in Iraq remains extremely tense, marked by recurring strikes targeting strategic infrastructure, such as the airports in Erbil, Baghdad, and Basra. In Erbil, these attacks have caused severe power shortages, depriving Kurdistan of a full supply and plunging many areas into darkness.  

This growing insecurity weighs heavily on civilian populations, exacerbating the risks of displacement and economic vulnerability. The increase in strikes near urban centers destabilizes residents’ daily lives and permanently erodes community trust. Faced with the ongoing deterioration of the security environment, Action Against Hunger has been forced to suspend its activities. The high level of risk directly compromises staff safety and restricts the freedom of movement necessary for operations. The organization is closely monitoring the situation, as the protection of its teams remains the top priority. In the meantime, although no major population movements have been recorded so far, teams are actively working on contingency plans to be ready to respond to an escalation of the crisis.  

In Yemen, Jordan, and the West Bank, maintaining vital aid despite ongoing instability

In Yemen, the organization is present in both the north and south of the country, with ongoing operations in the governorates of Al Hudaydah and Hajjah in the north, as well as in Al Hudaydah, Lahj, and Abyan in the south. All interventions are being maintained, covering nutrition, mental health, livelihoods, and access to water. 

In Jordan, the mission maintains the continuity of its vital operations. Present since 2013, Action Against Hunger relies on its operational bases in Irbid to assist populations in need. In Madaba and Karak, “Cash for Work” programs currently benefit 450 people, including both Syrian refugees and members of the Jordanian host community. This direct support helps sustain the local economy while providing families with a dignified source of income. The agricultural component remains a priority, with grants distributed to more than 200 Syrian and Jordanian farmers in the Irbid region to strengthen long-term food security. 

In the West Bank, more than three million Palestinians remain without shelters suitable for airstrikes. This lack of safety exacerbates instability and triggers new displacements, brutally separating families from their essential support networks. In Gaza, persistent fuel shortages are crippling humanitarian actors’ ability to provide safe drinking water. Two desalination plants in Gaza City are currently shut down due to a lack of fuel, leading to a complete suspension of water distribution in these areas.