Lebanon’s Displaced Face Winter Hardship as Aid Gaps Persist Across the Region

Since early March, more than 300,000 residents have been forced from their homes in southern Lebanon, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the crisis is far from over. Although roughly 970,000 people have moved back to their communities, many find homes damaged, essential services disrupted, and livelihoods threatened. In Nabatieh Governorate, insecurity and Israeli‑imposed restrictions have curtailed the olive harvest, with some farmers allowed only two days of work before being ordered to stop. These conditions leave returnees dependent on humanitarian assistance.

To address immediate winter needs, UNHCR launched a $50 million appeal aimed at nine million people across Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon. The request targets basic items such as heaters, blankets, warm clothing and cash for fuel, seeking to prevent debt accumulation and keep children in school. In Lebanon, the OCHA‑managed Lebanon Humanitarian Fund has already allocated $91 million to support displaced families, returnees, refugees and other affected communities, but the appeal underscores that additional resources are required to bridge seasonal gaps.

The challenges in Lebanon echo broader trends. Afghanistan has seen an estimated 6.5 million people return in recent years, many arriving with little to rebuild their lives. In Syria, about 3.6 million refugees and internally displaced persons have returned since December 2024, while 15.6 million still need assistance. Beyond conflict‑driven displacement, up to 3.4 billion people worldwide face inadequate housing, including more than a billion living in informal settlements. Urban regeneration is being promoted as a long‑term solution, but immediate humanitarian funding remains critical to protect vulnerable populations during harsh winter months.