UNRWA Situation Report #14 on the Lebanon Emergency Response: All information from 13 November - 20 November 2024, valid as of 20 November 2024 at 1:00 PM [EN/AR]

Key Points

• UNRWA activated its Emergency Response in Lebanon on 24 September. The Agency is currently operating 11 emergency shelters across the country.
• As of 20 November 2024, a total of 3,281 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) has registered in UNRWA shelters.
• No incidents affecting UNRWA facilities were reported between 13 November and 20 November 2024. No casualties among UNRWA staff have been reported during the reporting period.
• During the reporting period, there were no new displacement orders that specifically referenced any area containing a Palestinian refugee camp or an UNRWA shelter. On 17 November, Beirut faced renewed airstrikes, including on Ras el Nabaa, Mar Elias and Zoukak el Blat on 18 November.
• UNRWA is working with a range of partner organisations (community based, local NGOs and international NGOs) in all its emergency shelters to provide a full range of services, including hot meals and psychosocial support activities. In its emergency response, UNRWA has relied on the dedication and commitment of partners on the ground.

UNRWA has partnered with Lebanon’s national vaccination campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), WHO, and UNICEF to ensure all children receive essential vaccines for protection against polio, measles, rubella and mumps. At the

Overall Situation

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports a total of 886,028 IDPs[1](51 per cent female and 49 per cent male) as of 18 November 2024. New displacements continue to be reported and recorded.
• As of 20 November, 965 households, representing 3,281 people, are registered in UNRWA emergency shelters across the country, indicating a continued slow decrease for the eighth consecutive reporting period. UNRWA is monitoring this trend, noting that some Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have returned to their homes in the camps, while others have secured alternative housing arrangements by staying with relatives or renting. Despite the overall decrease in numbers, it is worth noting that UNRWA shelters do continue to record new arrival of IDPs in its shelters.

[1] IOM Mobility Snapshot - Round 63: Lebanon: Displacement Tracking Matrix: Mobility Snapshot – Round 63 (18 November 2024)

Humanitarian Access, Protection of Civilians

• During the reporting period, there were no new displacement orders that specifically referenced any area containing a Palestinian refugee camp or an UNRWA shelter. On 17 November, Beirut faced renewed airstrikes, including on Ras el Nabaa, Mar Elias and Zoukak el Blat on 18 November.
• No casualties among UNRWA staff have been reported during the reporting period. The UNRWA security team closely monitors the situation and staff movements to ensure the safety of frontline humanitarian workers.
• No incident affecting UNRWA facilities was reported between 13 November and 20 November 2024.
• The security situation in Tyre remains very tense, with the suspension of most services. On both 18 and 20 November, planned health service missions to refugee camps in the Tyre area were suspended. Through the support of ICRC, hygiene kits and food items could be distributed to the three camps in Tyre, over the reporting period.

Partnerships

• In all areas, UNRWA coordinates with local partners to provide additional services to displaced people. At each emergency shelter, a co-support partner has been identified. These co-support partners include Nabaa, Tadamon, Beit Atfal El-Somoud, Najdeh, Mobader and the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts (ARCPA), al - Jana. UNRWA is also coordinating closely with UN Agencies and international organisations, including IOM, UNICEF, WFP, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Save the Children International, Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), and Action Against Hunger.

UNRWA Shelters

Open UNRWA Emergency Shelter Locations as at 20 /11/2024

Programmatic & Operational Response

• On 3 October, UNRWA launched a Flash Appeal for US$ 27.3 million to address the urgent humanitarian needs resulting from the ongoing escalation in Lebanon, in addition to the displacement from Lebanon into Syria, over the next 90 days.

Health

• As of 20 November, out of 27 UNRWA health centers, 15 are operational while 12 remain closed due to the security context. Family Health Teams are rotating inside the 11 designated emergency shelters.
• As of 20 November, UNRWA conducted over 12,229 consultations inside the shelters to Palestine Refugees from Lebanon (PRL), Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS), Lebanese and others. The total number of health consultations at the remaining 15 operational health centers is 156,365, specifically for PRL and PRS.
• On both 18 and 20 November, planned health missions to refugee camps in the Tyre area were suspended due to security concerns. Routine opening of primary health clinics in the Tyre area remains suspended.
• In the Beqaa Area, all health centers remain operational. However, Wavel Camp Clinic is operational on an emergency basis only. In Central Lebanon Area (CLA), Shatila Health Center remains operational on a daily basis as of 7 November for primary health care services but had to suspend its services on 18 and 19 November due to security situation. In Saida, health clinics in Nabatieh, Ghazieh and Adloun remain closed.
• The Musaytbeh Emergency Health Center will start providing dental care shortly, with mobile dental units pending maintenance.
• Since the activation of the emergency, 105 emergency hospitalizations for the treatment of civilian war injuries were reported, including one UNRWA staff member.
• On 12 November, UNRWA’s Health team started a vaccination campaign, in coordination with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, inside the 11 shelters. Children below five will be vaccinated against polio and children between 9 months and 10 years for Measles, Mumphs and Rubella (MMR) as well as a Vitamine A Supplementation (VAS). As of 20 November, 1,314 children below were vaccinated.
• Six solar fridges have been provided by UNICEF to store vaccines in the newly established health centers with remote temperature monitoring devices. Two solar fridges have been installed in Musaytbeh Center and one in Beqaa, during the reporting period. The health team also plans to install solar fridges in Saida.
• Active surveillance systems are established in all health centers and medical facilities to identify early signs of infectious disease outbreaks. Water tanks undergo chlorination and are routinely monitored for waterborne diseases. No further cholera cases have been reported.
• On 17 November two Palestine refugees were killed in separate airstrikes in the city of Tyre; a male was targeted while riding his motorcycle, and a female was struck in the Shabriha neighborhood.
• In al-Jarmak shelter, an incident between two displaced persons led to injuries and hospitalization. Most such sporadic conflics are solved through dialogue with support from the shelter managers and community committees. This underlines the continued need for community engagement activities in UNRWA shelters and effective conflict resolution mechanisms.
• Palestine refugees remaining in the camps in Tyre area continue to appeal for protection and access to services, particularly health services.
• On 19 November, a sit-in was conducted in Nahr el Bared Camp by Heraks activists to protest the delays in cash assistance. The same day, a list of demands was submitted by a committee of the displaced individuals of the shelters in the camp. Similar protests took place in Saida for cash assistance and hospitalization coverage.
• UNRWA’s protection team continues to mainstream protection considerations aimed at improving the situation of the most vulnerable IDPs in the shelters. For example, over the reporting period, eleven Palestine refugees with disabilities in Yabud shelter were consulted on the accessibility in the shelter to ensure their needs are recognized.
• On 13 November, the Legal Aid team conducted two online awareness sessions on the Cash for Work Programme, targeting a total of 51 youth. On 14 November, UNRWA and NRC conducted an awareness session in STC shelter on civil documentation and safeguarding of these documents. The session targeted 17 individuals.
• On 14 November, the CCCM Specialist visited Nablus and Rafidiya shelters to discuss security management, challenges and support needed. Community Committees have been established in Nablus with a clear ToR. UNRWA’s Protection and Social Services teams are looking into expanding this model to other shelters, including through a training on the Code of Conduct.
• UNRWA social workers provided 32 psychosocial support group sessions over the reporting period, targeting 655 individuals (383 women, 115 girls, 46 men and 111 boys) within the 11 shelters. Group sessions aim to address family issues and strengthen relationships.
• Since the onset of the conflict, the social work team has provided 659 group interventions and awareness sessions, targeting 2,426 IDPs. These sessions cover topics such as the rights and duties of those residing in UNRWA shelters, GBV and child protection sensitization sessions, parenting skills, services information sessions, self-care sessions, hygiene sessions, communication skills and online safety.
• The social workers coordinate closely with partners such as UNICEF, TDH, Save the Children, Hemaya, UPEL, Najdeh, Nabaa, Tadamon, Beit Afal and Al Somoud for additional support in UNRWA’s shelters.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

• While UNRWA Water and Sanitation services are currently being maintained, UNRWA faces a risk of fuel shortage, especially in the Tyre area, where access to fuel is severely limited. Water pumping is operating at minimal levels. UNRWA is undertaking efforts to secure regular fuel deliveries to the camps in the Tyre area to enable the ongoing operation of water facilities.
• The water levels in Nahr el Bared Camp (NBC) and its shelters, including Mount Tabour, Amqa, Toubas, Majeddo Mazar and Battir, have experienced challenges over the reporting period. In the camp, water shortages were reported as one of the water wells was out of order. Booster bumps have been installed in Battir and Mount Tabour schools to enhance the water supply and repairs will be taking place shortly.
• Two water wells in Burj Shemali are currently non-operational and require maintenance. Repairs have been hindered by the security concerns. The camp currently relies on the three remaining functional water wells.
• The generation of solid waste is also increasing in the Nahr el Bared Camp (NBC) and its shelters. During the reporting period, two compactors were out of order, requiring a private contractor to collect and dispose of the accumulated waste.
• On average, there is a ratio of 15 IDPs per toilet in the 11 UNRWA designated shelters. UNRWA’s sanitation teams clean the sewer lines and manholes to avoid blockage and floodings. Some flooding already occurred two weeks ago in shelters in Saida City (Nablus and Rafidiya Schools). Despite previous successful interventions by the municipality, the issue has re-emerged again over the reporting period. The UNRWA team is working on finding a solution.
• UNRWA teams are conducting maintenance and repairs across all 11 emergency shelters. Technical assessments have been completed. The team is currently in the tendering phase for Internal Accommodation Works for existing buildings in STC and rehabilitation of the existing water well in STC. Technical assessments for additional accommodation are in progress.
• Winterization efforts are underway, with preparations ongoing such as clearing rooftop areas, manholes, as well as the inspection and maintenance of drainage systems. Additional winterization efforts are required, such as insulation, waterproof sealing, roof waterproofing systems, among others.

Food Security

• Preparations for the community kitchen in Nahr el Bared Camp are underway. This kitchen will serve all northern shelters and is anticipated to start operating on 1 December. WFP is providing lunch and dinner meals until the end of November. On 18 November, Al Kasser Bakery began baking and distributing bread to the IDPs. A total of 1,020 bags was distributed, 450 bags to IDPs inside shelters and 570 bags to displaced people outside the shelters.
• In addition to the Community Kitchens, UNRWA is collaborating extensively with other organisations to ensure IDPs can fulfill their nutritional requirements. The Chief Area Officers coordinate closely with local NGOs. For instance, over the reporting period, ICRC supported in the distribution of food items to Tyre. In Central Lebanon Area (CLA) the Fingerprint of Change has increased their daily meals from 60 to 125 meals per day. Additionally, the Women’s Humanitarian Association delivers 100 breakfast sandwiches a day from Monday to Saturday. The Children’s Kitchen continues supplying daily meals, snacks, and toys for up to 30 children and 15 volunteers. Since 19 November, CLA will also distribute 70 bread packs daily at Yabud shelter through a partnership with a local bakery.

Education

• The start of the 2024/2025 academic year was postponed to 11 November due to insecurity in the country. During the Readiness Phase (Phase I), education staff started off with an administrative week to begin the year. Since 18 November, students have been engaged remotely with their teachers in social and emotional Learning, mental health and psychosocial support, recreational activities.
• A review of the readiness phase will take place in the week of 25 November, Phase II – including the possibility of rolling out more formal learning and academic elements, depending on the outcome of the review, is due to start from 2 December. UNRWA remains dedicated to providing educational services to 38,006 students in grades 1 to 12, comprising 19,760 girls and 18,246 boys.
• With the support of 42 school counselors, UNRWA provides psychosocial support services to children, youth, and adults across and beyond all 11 shelters in Lebanon. This includes psychosocial first aid, individual and group counseling, awareness sessions on gender-based violence (GBV) and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), as well other essential PSS interventions.
• Since the onset of the armed conflict, approximately 3,500 people, including more than 1,500 children, have benefited from 3,008 psychosocial support sessions and recreational activities.
• UNRWA has distributed 1,946 sets of psychosocial support kits. During the reporting period a total of 608 individuals, including 471 children (288 girls and 243 boys) accessed these vital services.
• UNRWA's Education team is also providing remote psychosocial support to students and their families/caregivers outside emergency shelters to foster resilience, develop coping skills, and enhance wellbeing and safety. During the reporting period, 13 school counselors have conducted 1,334 care calls, reaching 120 adults and 194 children (124 girls and 70 boys).