ACT Alliance is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Lebanon. Lebanon has been under constant bombing since September 23, 2024. On the 28th of September, Beirut had witnessed more than 85 raids in one night. As the situation in Lebanon deteriorates, we urge immediate international support to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis. The magnitude of this emergency calls for immediate assistance. The people of Lebanon are already enduring immense hardship and cannot wait any longer. 

We call upon the international community to take action to:

• Request a cessation of hostilities and stop the displacement of around 1.2 million Lebanese, and other vulnerable people who sought refuge in Lebanon.
• Prioritize the protection of civilians and take responsibility as duty-bearers.
• Halt arms sales and transfer to Israel. All responsible parties should comply with UN Resolution ES-10/L.31/Rev.1 and “halt the transfer of arms, munitions, and related equipment to Israel”.
• Support humanitarian actors, including ACT Alliance members, in their continuous work to respond to the needs of those affected, especially the families, mothers and children who lost all their savings and belongings and, most importantly, are not safe. 

We call on all ACT Members to:

• Fund the LEB 241 appeal to enable ACT members operational in Lebanon to provide life saving support to those affected.
• Continue to advocate at national and international levels to end the hostilities and protect international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights.

We express our strong condemnation of the repeated violations of IHL principles, particularly concerning the ongoing targeting of civilians, the media and humanitarian workers. Upholding IHL is of paramount importance, and all parties involved in the conflict must adhere to the fundamental obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants at all times. The protection of civilians must remain a priority, and compliance with IHL is essential to reduce suffering and preserve human dignity during armed conflict.

The Current Situation in Lebanon

Up until the 8th of October 2024 as per Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), It is estimated that 990 shelters are hosting 181,700 Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs). These numbers don’t take into consideration the estimated 1.2 million people who are residing with families and friends, or those who are on the streets as they cannot find a shelter to go to. The toll on civilians, especially the most vulnerable populations such as children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, is devastating as they had to leave their homes and find shelter under bridges and in tunnels to find protection from bombings.

Numbers Reflecting the Crisis

• Displacement: Over 1.2 million  people are estimated to be internally displaced, with many fleeing to shelters that lack basic resources, 181,700 IDPs have been hosted in shelters while the rest either reside with family members or have found rented spaces.
• Health: Hospitals and clinics report that they are operating at full capacity, with a 60% shortage in essential medical supplies. Over 20% of displaced families have at least one member requiring urgent medical care.
• Loss of life: Over 1,530 have been reported dead since the 16th of September bringing the total toll from the 7th of October 2023 to 2,119 people reported dead. Amongst them more than 127 children and 261  women, 77 health workers. 10, 019 have been wounded. All within a few days. These numbers do not include the bombardment of buildings in Beirut on the night of the 9th of Oct as authorities have no count yet and the numbers keep on rising. Many bodies remain under rubble, and numerous people are still missing.  
• Shelter: The 990+ newly opened shelters urgently require resources to support displaced families such as food, mattresses, pillows, blankets, electricity, and fuel.
• Protection: Reports show that up to 50% of displaced children are showing signs of trauma, and women are increasingly vulnerable to gender-based violence.

A Call for Global Solidarity

We call on the international community to act now. Lebanon cannot bear the burden of this crisis alone. All of Lebanon is affected. A cessation of hostilities and a protection of civilians is essential and more urgent than ever. The humanitarian response must be scaled up to provide urgent assistance, restore dignity, and protect lives. 

We stand united in our commitment to uphold human dignity and human rights, and we call on all states and civil society to join us.

Download the full statement here