While most people displaced by months of airstrikes and insecurity in Lebanon have returned to their areas of origin, many are facing damaged homes, widespread destruction, and a lack of essential services, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). On Tuesday, UNHCR warned that the displacement and humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is far from over.
“Despite declared ceasefire arrangements, fresh Israeli airstrikes in south Lebanon over the weekend triggered a new wave of displacement, with hundreds of families fleeing northward in search of safety,“ UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva today.
“These movements add to an already protracted displacement crisis, increasing uncertainty for communities attempting to make their way home.”
More than 860,000 people have reportedly returned to their areas of origin, while approximately 350,000 remain displaced, including at least 22,000 living in collective shelters. Others report living with relatives or in overcrowded rented apartments.
UNHCR warns that the security situation in Lebanon remains fragile and that the humanitarian needs of hundreds of thousands of people remain immense. Although the intensity of hostilities has decreased, Israeli airstrikes continue to endanger many lives.
Since March 2, more than 4,340 people have been killed and over 12,300 injured in Israeli attacks, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Among the casualties are at least 256 children killed and over 1,000 injured.
Despite an initial announcement in April of a cessation of hostilities, followed by multiple rounds of negotiations to de-escalate and rein in the conflict, the Israeli military continues to kill and injure people in Lebanon through continued airstrikes and ground operations, mainly in southern Lebanon.
Israeli attacks have also targeted healthcare facilities, killing and injuring aid workers on a horrific scale. Since March 2, at least 135 healthcare workers have been killed on duty, and 410 have been injured.
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has documented widespread violations of international humanitarian law, some of which likely constitute war crimes or other significant crimes under international law.
Movement restrictions, military activity, and risks related to explosive remnants of war continue to affect large parts of southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, thereby threatening safety and preventing sustainable solutions for conflict-affected communities.
At the height of the escalation, over 1.9 million people — more than a third of Lebanon's population — were displaced from their homes. This included over 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), nearly 600,000 Syrian refugees, and approximately 164,000 Lebanese nationals who crossed into Syria after March 2 — during the height of the conflict.
“Many families remain unable to return to their homes due to extensive debris, insecurity, lack of access to their communities, and widespread damage to infrastructure, resulting in strained or non-functioning health, water and electricity services,” the UNHCR spokesperson said.
For many households, returning means relocating as close as possible to their towns and villages, where they remain displaced, rather than finding a lasting solution. These families continue to rely on rented accommodations, hosting arrangements, and temporary or collective shelters while awaiting debris clearance, home repairs, the restoration of services, and improved security conditions.
"Many undertake repeated "go-and-see" visits before deciding whether return is safe or feasible, while others continue to move between areas of displacement and origin," Baloch noted.
“As a result, the distinction between those who have returned and those who remain displaced has become increasingly blurred.”
The approaching school year is creating additional pressure, as collective shelters, which are mostly in public schools, are being consolidated. Local governments in conflict-affected areas continue to advocate for temporary housing solutions to prevent renewed displacement and enable families to stay close to their communities.
Humanitarian needs remain substantial overall. Widespread damage to housing, water systems, electricity networks, schools, health facilities, agricultural land, and community infrastructure continues to hinder prospects for recovery and safe, sustainable returns. More than 700,000 people in parts of southern Lebanon are reportedly affected by damage to water infrastructure, underscoring the fact that return does not mark the end of humanitarian needs.
Overall, Lebanon has not yet entered the post-crisis phase as the country continues to face a complex displacement situation and ongoing protection risks. Displaced families long to return home as soon as possible. Sustainable solutions for affected populations require sustained humanitarian assistance, early recovery support, debris clearance, reconstruction efforts, and improved security
However, humanitarian organizations are facing severe resource shortages, which limits their ability to assist displaced people and those attempting to return. The revised Lebanon Flash Appeal of US$639.9 million is only 48 percent funded to date.
The inter-agency appeal includes $94.2 million for UNHCR relief efforts. Overall, the UNHCR's operation in Lebanon is only 24 percent funded, with a total requirement of $472.3 million for 2026.
“Without sustained support, displaced families, returnees and affected communities will continue to face significant challenges in rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, rehabilitating infrastructure and achieving sustainable recovery,” Baloch said.
The latest crisis in Lebanon was triggered by a broader regional escalation that began when the United States and Israel initiated a war against Iran. The non-state armed group Hezbollah subsequently launched rockets and drones into Israeli territory, reigniting the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and devastating the Lebanese civilian population.
Even before the latest deterioration that started in March 2026, hostilities in Lebanon had already escalated significantly between September and November 2024. During this period, there were thousands of Israeli airstrikes across Lebanese territory, causing heavy civilian casualties and mass displacement.