UNRWA Situation Report #5 on the Lebanon Emergency Response. All Information from 3 October - 7 October 2024, Valid as of 7 October 2024 at 13:00 [EN/AR]

Key Points

• As the armed conflict affecting Lebanon is escalating with increased frequency, intensity and scope of airstrikes, displacement of populations from affected areas continues. As of 7 October 2024, three Palestine refugee camps have been affected by Israeli Forces’ airstrikes: Ein El Hilweh camp close to Sidon, El Bass camp in Tyre and Beddawi camp North of Tripoli.
• At the start of October, UNRWA temporarily suspended most of its operations in the Tyre area, primarily because of the displacement of UNRWA staff due to the security situation. Some limited water and sanitation services continue in the area. Three Palestine Refugee camps in the South and one camp in Beirut are significantly depopulated as people have fled to seek safety and protection elsewhere.
• 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 of some populations from Lebanon into Syria, over the next 90 days.
• Since the activation of its Emergency Response in Lebanon on 24 September, UNRWA has opened 12 emergency shelters. One of the shelters was closed on 7 October, bringing the total number of active emergency shelters down to 11. As of 7 October, three UNRWA emergency shelters have reached their maximum capacity.
• The 11 shelters currently operated by UNRWA are located in the following areas: one in Beirut (Yabud School), four in the Saida Area (Siblin Training Centre, Nablus School, Rafidya School, Beir Zeit/Beit Jala School), five in the North (Toubas School, Amqa School, Mount Tabour School, Battir School, and Majeddo and Mazar school - all in Nahr el-Bared Camp), and one in Beqaa (Jarmaq School, in Zahle District).
• A total of 4,570 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are registered in UNRWA shelters as of 7 October 2024[1]. This number is expected to continue to increase.

Overall Situation

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports a total of 541,527 IDPs (52 per cent female and 48 per cent male) between 8 October 2023 and 2 October 2024. New displacements continue to be reported, and counting is ongoing.[1]
• More than 690 children have reportedly been injured in Lebanon as the conflict has dramatically escalated in recent weeks. This increase has raised the total number of children with conflict related injuries in Lebanon to 890 in the past year, with many suffering from severe injuries including concussions, shrapnel wounds, and hearing loss due to explosions, according to the latest UNICEF report.[2]
• The health system has been severely impacted,[3] with 36 reported incidents impacting healthcare facilities between 8 October 2023, and 4 October 2024. According to WHO, at least 77 health workers were killed while on duty, including 28 in a single day on October 2-3 2024. Additionally, 96 primary health care centres and three hospitals have been forced to close, severely limiting access to critical medical care, while at least ten hospitals have sustained damage.
• Education institutions in Lebanon remain closed for learning. The Minister of Education and High Education (MEHE) has announced the delay of the start of the 2024/25 academic year to 4 November 2024.[4]
• As of 3 October, 1,312 households, representing a total of 4,570 people, are registered in UNRWA emergency shelters across the country. Of these, approximately 45 per cent are Palestine Refugees from Lebanon, 20 per cent are Palestine Refugees from Syria, 17 per cent are Lebanese, and 16 percent are Syrian. Additionally, about 1 per cent are of other nationalities, with less than 1 per cent classified as non-ID or fall into the "others" category.

Humanitarian Access, Protection of Civilians

• On 2 October, UNRWA suspended most of its operations in the Tyre area, affecting all three Palestine Refugee camps: Rashidieh, El Buss, and Burj Shemali. Only minimal water and waste management services continue to be provided for the remaining inhabitants in the camps. UNRWA teams are currently working with OCHA and UNDSS to ensure humanitarian notification of the Primary Health Care clinics to relevant parties to the conflict, aiming to reopen them twice a week to deliver primary health care services to the communities.
• Intense Israeli Forces’ airstrikes targeted the area of Burj El Barajneh Palestine refugee camp over the past four days, provoking a new wave of displacement from the camp and the surroundings, with current estimates indicating that the population has dwindled to less than 20 per cent of its inhabitants. The camp has sustained material damage affecting private shelters. Sanitary services are operating under challenging conditions, as dumping areas are full and municipal garbage removal has not been conducted.
• On the morning of 5 October, 2024, Beddawi Palestine refugee Camp in northern Lebanon was hit in an airstrike, resulting in the killing of one person identified as the head of the Hamas military wing (Qassam Brigade) in Lebanon, along with his wife and two daughters.
• On 5 October, an UNRWA staff member sustained a head injury requiring stitches as a result of an airstrike in the Jiye area. The staff member promptly reported the incident through UNRWA's digital security system, enabling immediate assistance from UNRWA teams. The staff member received treatment at a clinic and is now recovering.
• On 6 October, the door of the Burj Al-Barajneh Health Centre was damaged due to airstrikes. Due to the deteriorating security situation, UNRWA security team has been unable to conduct comprehensive assessments in areas of high risk, including certain parts of Tyre and the Beqaa Valley. No additional damage to UNRWA facilities was reported during the reporting period. Since the onset of the emergency, three facilities — Qastal School in Baalbek (Beqaa) and Mansoura School in Tyre (South), and the Burj Al-Barajneh clinic — have sustained minor damage.

UNRWA response

• UNRWA is currently operating 11 emergency shelters across the country, three of which have already reached maximum capacity, namely: Amqa School in Nahr el-Bared Camp, Yabud School in Beirut, and Beit Jala-Beir Zeit School in Saida.
• In addition to the community kitchen available at the Siblin Training Centre emergency shelter in Saida, two additional community kitchens are being established in Nahr el-Bared (North) and Beqaa. These kitchens will provide hot meals to IDPs in the vicinity.
• Where possible and relevant, UNRWA coordinates with local partners to provide additional services to displaced persons. In its delivery of services, UNRWA has been coordinating closely with UN Agencies and international organisations, including the IOM, UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Save the Children International (SCI), and Action Against Hunger (ACF). At each emergency shelter, a co-support partner has been identified. These co-support partners include Nabaa, Tadamon, Beit Atfal El-Somoud, and the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts (ARCPA).
• During the reporting period, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) supported UNRWA emergency shelters through the provision of 700 psychosocial support (PSS) kits, which included items such as pencils, rubber erasers, colouring books, and toys. Activities were also offered to help children aged eight to 12 relieve stress and develop positive coping mechanisms.