Bombing in Lebanon: HI mobilizes to respond to the emergency

HI teams and their partners are organizing to provide assistance to the most vulnerable, particularly people with disabilities and pregnant women. 

Reaching displaced people 

HI is coordinating with authorities and other humanitarian organizations to assess the most urgent needs in shelters for displaced people and within host communities, and to deliver a rapid response. 

At the same time, HI has begun a remote needs assessment, reaching out to the organizations managing the shelters, especially those hosting people with disabilities. 

The danger of explosive weapons 

Our teams are currently sharing awareness messages about the risks posed by explosive remnants of war. HI will also publish safety and preparedness tips related to the conflict on social media. 

With intense airstrikes in recent days, these messages aim to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by leftover bombs or unexploded devices. They also teach families the essential actions to take to protect themselves during an attack. 

Special attention for pregnant women 

The situation is particularly concerning for pregnant women, especially those whose access to healthcare is disrupted by the ongoing hostilities. HI has compiled a waiting list of displaced women nearing childbirth. As some healthcare facilities are no longer able to accommodate them, HI is working to identify alternative solutions. 

Deploying a humanitarian response in the coming days 

If access and security conditions allow, HI, which has 50 employees in Lebanon, plans to expand its response next week with several types of assistance: 

• Emergency rehabilitation services and provision of technical aids (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.) for individuals with disabilities and injuries. 
• Sexual and reproductive health services: awareness-raising sessions accompanied by the distribution of dignity kits, menstrual hygiene kits, and baby kits, tailored to individual needs. 
• Psychosocial support for people affected by the crisis, including the distribution of dedicated kits where relevant. 
• Risk education and protection in conflict: dissemination of prevention messages about bombings and explosive devices. 

Context: Since March 2, 2026, more than 80,000 people have been displaced within just a few days following bombings and evacuation orders affecting several southern villages. These new displacements add to the roughly 65,000 people already displaced during the 2024 conflict. At the same time, Lebanese authorities and UN agencies report that tens of thousands have sought refuge in collective shelters—often schools or public buildings—that have quickly become overcrowded.