Lebanon Faces Crisis: UN Calls for $325M Aid as War Forces Hundreds of Thousands to Leave Homes

The United Nations has launched a new appeal for $325 million to support Lebanon, which is grappling with the fallout from a recent conflict that has displaced more than 800 000 people. The appeal was announced by Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres in Beirut, urging that words of support be matched with concrete action.

Context

• Conflict origins: Israel launched an offensive against Hezbollah after the group fired on Israeli forces in early March, claiming it was avenging a high‑profile Iranian target.
• Escalation: Hezbollah has carried out daily rocket and drone attacks while Israel has intensified ground operations and air strikes.
• Recent events: Beirut was bombed on Thursday, other areas were hit on Friday, leading to nearly 700 deaths and widespread displacement.

Funding Challenges

• The World Food Programme (WFP) has already had to ration supplies because donations are scarce, warning that many people will soon face starvation.
• WFP’s deputy executive director highlighted there is no margin left; resources must increase as needs rise.

Humanitarian Response

• UNHCR received only a quarter of the funds it needs for 2025 and has cut cash assistance programs.
• Medair notes rising global energy prices, sparked by the Iran war, are tightening donor budgets further.
• Solidarités International reports a decline in both grant amounts and the number of donors, warning that their emergency response could collapse in a few weeks without fresh funding.

Historical Hardships

Lebanon’s current crisis builds on earlier hardships:

1. Economic collapse in 2019
2. Devastating port explosion in 2020
3. Ongoing war

The combined effect has left the country in a precarious position, with humanitarian aid stretched to its limits. The UN’s appeal seeks to bridge this gap and prevent a deeper humanitarian catastrophe.