Over 1M Displaced in Lebanon as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The number of people displaced by escalating hostilities in Lebanon has surpassed one million, according to a senior United Nations official, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate sharply.

Kristine Knutson, head of the United Nations office in Lebanon, said the past two weeks have witnessed a severe worsening of conditions due to intensified fighting, particularly affecting civilians in the country’s south.

Speaking to Alqahera News, Knutson noted that approximately 85 percent of those displaced remain within Lebanon, with many sheltering in schools that have been converted into temporary accommodation centers. These facilities are being managed through coordination between the Lebanese government and humanitarian partners.

She emphasized that the rapidly growing number of displaced people has placed enormous strain on available resources, with urgent needs including food, clean water, sanitation services, shelter, and protection.

The United Nations and its partners are focusing on delivering emergency assistance to both displaced populations and host communities. However, Knutson warned that continued violence, evacuation orders, and the ongoing search for safe refuge are compounding the crisis.

She called for stronger measures to protect civilians and critical infrastructure, stressing that without immediate action, the humanitarian situation could worsen further as hostilities persist