ActionAid’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon
As the Israeli attacks on Lebanon escalated in 2024, cities and villages across the country, including border towns and major urban centers, came under heavy bombardment, forcing thousands of families to flee their homes in search of safety. Civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, and healthcare facilities, was severely damaged, deepening an already dire humanitarian crisis. In response, ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR), in partnership with local organizations such as The Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (RDFL), SHIFT, and Basmeh & Zeitooneh, stepped in to provide urgent humanitarian aid. Our efforts focused on delivering essential relief, including food, shelter, and medical support, to those most affected by the war.
RDFL operates two centres in the Bekaa Valley that provide essential protection services for Palestinian and Syrian refugees, as well as host communities in Lebanon – especially vulnerable groups such as women, children and the elderly.
Roula Zeaiter, Programme Manager for RDFL, described one heartbreaking scene: “Minutes after the order to leave came, the streets were filled with people grabbing their things, locking their homes and closing their shops. We’re scrambling like scared mice, moving from place to place. Lebanon is becoming like Gaza, with Israeli forces using the same tactics.”
As part of their emergency response efforts, RDFL have provided non-food items like mattresses, blankets, and dignity kits, while also addressing urgent needs like heating fuel in shelters. They executed a swift emergency and relief operation by collaborating with the emergency room of the municipality of Beirut and Governor Marwan Abboud. Through this coordination, RDFL, in partnership with AAAR, successfully distributed hundreds of pillows, blankets, and mattresses to the Bir Hassan school complex, and Mar Mansour school located in the Clemenceau region. RDFL also distributed 202 mattresses to the Charity School in Clemenceau as part of their ongoing efforts to support displaced families.
As part of their focus on assisting women and girls, RDFL distributed a total of 220 dignity kits in Baalbek shelters at Al-Fakha Public School and Al Zaytoun High School.
Sadly, repeated attacks, including airstrikes on Baalbek in October 2024, have forced RDFL to suspend its activities multiple times, deepening the suffering of people in Lebanon. Adding to the devastation, the areas affected are densely populated and heavily crowded. There are no logistical resources to help people to leave, and some people are even having to evacuate on foot.
SHIFT’s emergency assistance to displaced families has included food, water, hygiene kits, and shelter rehabilitation. This aid was initially carried out in North Lebanon and was later redirected to South Lebanon to assist returning refugees. SHIFT has distributed hundreds of hygiene kits, bedding kits, blankets, and food kits.
A total of 78 families were housed at the Hospitality Institute in Mina, and 29 families at Amerken High School in Jabal Mohsen. During this period, these families received hygiene kits and food kits twice. Additionally, 117 beneficiaries from the Hospitality Institute in Mina received bedding kits, and 31 hygiene kits were distributed to individual households.
In all their interactions with displaced families, both RDFL and SHIFT emphasised the importance of psychosocial support, gender equality, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring dignity and protection for all beneficiaries amidst the ongoing conflict.
Basmeh & Zeitooneh successfully implemented emergency response activities across Beirut and Mount Lebanon, ensuring the distribution of essential non-food items to vulnerable households. The process began with a rapid needs assessment conducted in coordination with local authorities, disaster risk management and disaster risk reduction teams, and community leaders. This ensured the intervention was aligned with the most urgent needs.
Effective coordination with key stakeholders, including shelter focal points and local NGOs, facilitated seamless logistics and beneficiary identification, particularly among internally displaced people and refugees.
During the distribution phase, a structured vulnerability assessment was conducted, prioritising households based on family size, people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, elderly members, and children under six. Basmeh & Zeitooneh distributed 1,092 blankets and 1,092 mattresses across Beirut, Chouf, and Sidon in November and December 2024.
However, getting aid to the people who need it most is a constant challenge due to the ongoing war, which means that the relief team faces security risks, road closures, and supply chain disruptions.
To tackle these issues in their recent emergency response, the team adopted a decentralised procurement approach, worked with local suppliers for safer deliveries, and employed local staff to navigate security risks and coordinate effectively. They found that working with local staff improved effectiveness, built trust, and ensured culturally sensitive aid delivery.
Despite the immense challenges, AAAR and our local partner organisations remain committed to not only addressing the urgent needs of affected communities but also providing as much support as possible to protect people's safety, dignity and right to remain in their homes.
