Press release
Action Against Hunger scales up emergency response as displacement surges across Lebanon
Action Against Hunger warns of the serious humanitarian consequences that are unfolding, including shortages of basic goods, damage to water and energy infrastructure, and the potential for large‑scale displacement both within and beyond the country. The organization is intensifying its emergency operations across Lebanon, expanding its support for newly-created collective shelters and increasing the distribution of essential aid to displaced families. Action Against Hunger works in neighboring countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as well as in nearby areas such as the oPt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
Madrid, París, 9 March 2026. The escalation of conflict across the Middle East region is exacerbating already significant humanitarian needs, disrupting essential services, increasing population displacement, and exposing civilians and humanitarian workers to considerable risk. Communities that were already struggling are now facing even greater uncertainty.
Humanitarian response in Lebanon
The escalation of the conflict in Lebanon—marked by continued airstrikes, mass displacement orders, ground incursions and rapidly rising internal displacement—has triggered a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Lebanon’s Disaster Risk Management unit, led by the Lebanese Council of Ministers, estimates that as many as one million people could become displaced if hostilities persist. In response, Action Against Hunger is intensifying its emergency operations in Lebanon, expanding its support for newly-created collective shelters and increasing the distribution of essential aid to displaced families. “Families already worn down by years of hardship are once again on the move, with thousands forced to sleep in cars and public spaces,” says Regional Director Suzanne Takkenberg. “International support is urgently needed to sustain a response at the scale this crisis demands.”
Since the regional conflict reached Lebanon on 2 March, Action Against Hunger has activated emergency response mechanisms and conducted rapid assessments to identify the most urgent needs, while coordinating with authorities and humanitarian agencies to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication. As of today, the organisation has supported 32 collective shelters, including 6 in Baalbek District, 8 in West Bekaa, 4 in Zahle and 11 in Aley District, in Mount Lebanon. Teams are distributing food, bottled water, and hygiene kits, as well as providing Infant and Young Child Feeding emergency services for babies, young children, and their caregivers.
Key interventions include:
- 323 family hygiene kits distributed
- 136 baby hygiene kits distributed
- 9 168 litres of bottled water delivered
- 800 Ready-to-Eat food parcels, enough to cover one week of food for approximately 1,800 people
- Support to three hospitals (two in Zahle and one in Tyre) for high‑risk pregnancy care
- More than 150 children have received nutritional supplements or high‑energy biscuits to prevent malnutrition
Urgent call
Action Against Hunger urges the international community to:
- immediately de-escalate the violence,
- ensure full respect for international humanitarian law,
- guarantee safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance,
- and increase humanitarian funding to meet rapidly growing needs.