Attachments
Background and Context
Five years into the Lebanese economic and financial crisis, and thirteen years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon continues to be stormed by the most devastating multi-layered predicament in its modern history. The escalation of hostilities started in October 2023 and further escalated to a full-scale war in September 2024, intensifying the pressure on the economy, services and jobs1 . Displacement due to the escalation of hostilities has exacerbated the already existent instability, with women and girls making up 51 per cent of the internally displaced population2 . While most of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are returning to their homes, many are still at collective shelters or living in rented homes due to the destruction of their villages waiting for solutions.
Key sectors such as the production of goods, tools, and equipment have been severely impacted, leading to a decrease in the overall production output of basic goods, which along with the unemployment of full-time, part-time, and daily workers would severely decrease the supply level and potentially increase prices, affecting individuals and households across all gender identities. The ceasefire agreement in late 2024 brought some space to lead the socio-economic environment towards normalcy, however, the fragility of the agreement and the unpredictability of its prospects further compound the complexity of the situation, with gendered implications for access to resources and opportunities. This is added to the already existing tensions and competition on resources between Lebanese communities and displaced Syrians or Palestinian refugees, all of whom are impacted in different ways based on their gender and social roles. The optimism around peace efforts encourages the LRP response sectors that the cessation of hostilities will shift the focus of response towards return and recovery, where the needs for stabilization and recovery are immense, and the livelihood sector will play the key bridging role in this transition. The response is aligned with the priorities of new incumbent political government in Lebanon which uttered reforms and economic recovery on top of their priority list.