340,000 Syrian Refugees Lives in Conflict Zones in Lebanon

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Lebanon has revealed that about 340,000 Syrian refugees are currently residing in areas most affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The report highlights the mounting humanitarian crisis in Lebanon as the nation grapples with escalating violence and the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes.

Since October 2023, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has identified over 95,000 refugees who have been displaced for a second time, with 79,000 of them forced to flee their homes since September 23, 2024.

These displacements are primarily concentrated in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa region, areas severely impacted by the violence.

The UNHCR estimates that 340,000 Syrian refugees are living in the most heavily affected zones, compounding the dire humanitarian conditions.

In a report published in September, the UNHCR stated that over 100,000 people had been displaced due to the intensifying conflict, urging swift global action to protect civilians and provide essential aid to the affected populations.

The UNHCR also reported that many Syrian refugees in Lebanon have returned to Syria, with 75% of those who crossed back being Syrian nationals.

However, the ongoing violence and lack of resources have made it challenging to ensure their safety and reintegration.

To address the immediate needs of displaced communities, the UNHCR is actively providing relief aid and protection services.

The organization continues to call for global solidarity to assist Lebanon, which is already burdened by an unprecedented economic crisis.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that over 90,000 people fled their homes in southern Lebanon between September 17 and September 24, seeking refuge in other parts of the country.

Lebanese authorities have echoed these concerns, with Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi stating that more than 70,000 displaced people have sought shelter in emergency housing centers across the country.

Mawlawi emphasized that international aid provided by humanitarian organizations remains insufficient to meet the scale of the crisis.