Beirut, Lebanon, March 4, 2026 —  In the wake of military escalations across much of the Middle East, hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel escalated dramatically on March 1st, forcing tens of thousands of people in Lebanon to flee their homes. This outbreak of violence marks the most serious deterioration in security conditions since the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis and placing enormous strain on families, communities and aid services. 

As of March 1st, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, at least 50 people have been killed and more than 400 injured by airstrikes that have targeted southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the Beirut-Mount Lebanon region. The violence has triggered widespread panic, with families leaving their homes in search of safety, often with little warning and few belongings. Since then, evacuation orders have been issued for over 100 villages across southern Lebanon and parts of the Bekaa Valley, prompting additional large-scale displacement. 

Dalia, a staff member with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), described the terrifying moments when airstrikes struck near her family’s home.

“At 2:40 a.m., my parents and I were sitting in the corridor of our home, away from the windows, as the airstrikes hit around us. There had been no evacuation orders; we didn’t know what was happening or what would come next. Within seconds we realized we had to leave. We grabbed our IDs, medications and a few essentials and went into the street. Women and children were screaming, cars were honking, and everyone was trying to escape at the same time. What should have been a ten-minute drive out of the neighborhood took two hours. My father was in one car, my mother with me in another, taking different roads in case one route was hit. When we finally reunited in a safer area, my nieces and elderly parents were terrified and exhausted. We are safe now, but that night will stay with us.”

The IRC warns that with collective shelters rapidly reaching capacity, urgent support is needed to expand safe shelter options and provide essential relief to displaced families. More than 84,000 people are currently registered in collective shelters across the country, with numbers doubling within just 24 hours as the situation continues to evolve. Hundreds of schools and public buildings have been converted into emergency shelters, while many displaced families are staying with relatives, crowding into small apartments, or sleeping in cars along roadsides while searching for safety. Among those newly displaced are Syrian refugees who had already fled conflict once and rebuilt fragile lives in Lebanon, only to now be forced to flee again.

Lebanon’s population was already struggling after years of economic crisis and underfunded humanitarian response. Based on IRC protection monitoring in December 2025, 81% of households facing eviction threats reported taking on debt just to cover basic costs. This latest escalation is pushing many families, including refugees and migrant workers, beyond their ability to cope.

Magda Rossmann, IRC’s Lebanon Country Director, said,

“Despite the volatile security situation, the IRC and our partners are mobilizing to respond to the urgent needs of displaced and conflict-affected families, while prioritizing the safety of staff and communities. At the same time, our partners on the ground are reporting growing pressure on public services and host communities as displacement spreads. Rental prices are rising, competition for livelihoods is increasing, and essential services such as health care, water, electricity and education are being stretched even further.” 

The IRC response will focus on ensuring that people affected by the crisis can access essential health services, mental health and psychosocial support, emergency cash assistance, relief items such as blankets, and protection services for vulnerable groups including children and survivors of violence. However, with humanitarian funding to Lebanon already drastically underfunded with last year's Humanitarian Response Plan only receiving a third of what was needed – the scale and pace of displacement is likely to quickly outpace available resources. Humanitarian organizations urgently need flexible funding to scale up emergency response efforts, expand health and protection services, and provide cash assistance and basic relief items to families who fled with little or nothing.

Without rapid international support, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon risks deteriorating further in the days and weeks ahead. Ensuring people can access safety, essential services and emergency support will be critical to preventing deeper suffering for thousands of families already living on the edge of crisis.

The IRC urges an immediate cessation of hostilities and calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

IRC in Lebanon

The IRC has been working in Lebanon since 2012 delivering relief programs to Lebanese citizens and refugees. The IRC provides emergency and long-term support to people affected by, and recovering from, these overlapping crises. We offer legal services, protection, education, health including mental, sexual and reproductive health, and economic support to people affected by and recovering from crises. In 2025, we helped more than 180,000 people across the country.

Notes to Editors

Photographs documenting the experiences of displaced communities are available for editorial use upon request.