Attachments
Disclaimer: This third Flash Update has been developed to capture recent developments in Lebanon and Syria, also taking into consideration the regional spill-over effects on neighbouring countries. A more comprehensive operations update, covering all four affected National Societies, will be released in November covering the next reporting period.
SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
Since the escalation of hostilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt), the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and later the West Bank, has dramatically worsened and continues to deteriorate. As of October 27, 2024, the West Bank has reported 763 deaths and 6,455 injured, while in Gaza, the number of deaths has reached 43,020, with 101,110 individuals reported injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health and the Health Cluster of the World Health Organization (WHO), with 90% of the population displaced, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, the massive escalation of violence in Lebanon, which began in mid-September, continues to exacerbate the already fragile situation in the region, heavily impacting neighboring countries, particularly Syria.
Lebanon is currently enduring one of the most devastating periods in its history, with relentless hostilities severely affecting the country, particularly in the South, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and the Bekaa region. Over 4,000 residential buildings have been destroyed. As of October 26, 2024, Lebanese authorities have reported 2,653 deaths and 12,360 wounded. The humanitarian impact is staggering, with internal displacement increasing dramatically. As per the joint IOM, DRM, and LRC report, 834,746 (52% female and 48% male) internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been recorded as of October 27.
Almost half of the IDPs are living in host settings, for instance with relatives in other parts of the country. According to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) as of October 26, 189,169 people have been registered in around 1,108 shelters, though 931 of these shelters have already reached full capacity. However, a significant number of displaced individuals remain unregistered, with government estimates indicating that the total number of IDPs is 1.2 million. This also includes displaced people who are currently living in unfinished buildings, tents, parks and on the streets, highlighting the immense protection risks of this mass displacement crisis.
The ongoing violence has severely impacted humanitarian efforts, with repeated attacks on health workers. As of October 28, World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 99 health workers have been killed, while over 53 attacks have targeted health facilities, and 27 incidents have involved ambulances, further hindering the already limited access to critical medical services for those affected by the conflict. These numbers add to those recorded in the oPt since October 2023, where, as of September 27, there have been 1,128 attacks on healthcare, leading to 779 fatalities, 1,000 injuries, and the detention of 383 healthcare workers and 81 patients, severely compromising access to medical care. Healthcare personnel and facilities continue to face severe risks, underscoring the urgent need for adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the protection of medical personnel and infrastructure in conflict zones.
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon is significantly leading to widespread population movement into Syria, placing additional strain on the already dire humanitarian situation in the country. Based on the SARC Emergency Response Report, as of October 29, 2024, approximately 473,000 people have entered Syria mainly through the Jdaidet Yabous crossing in Rural Damascus, and other crossing points in Homs and Tartous have seen tens of thousands arriving. In total, 58,728 families have been registered, receiving critical assistance at various border crossings and shelters. Population crossing from Lebanon into Syria is predominantly Syrian (85%), with 15% being Lebanese nationals. Of those registered, 58% are children under 18, and 53% are women. A significant portion of the population faces heightened vulnerabilities, including over 10,579 people with chronic illnesses, around 3,072 with disabilities, and 569 unaccompanied minors.