The recent escalation of violence in the Middle East has thrown up lots of issues and the Medair team in Lebanon is under a lot of pressure. Medair are asking us to pray as they step up their work in ensuring the most vulnerable families have access to a safe place and the essential goods they need. 

Read on to find our more about the situation and the prayer requests.

Background to Medair in Lebanon

Medair has been working in Lebanon since 2012 and our work has largely been with refugees (mainly Syrian) of whom there are 1.12m in the country. Lebanon has more refugees per capita than any other country in the world; 9 out of 10 live in extreme poverty.

For more information click here.

Context

• Lebanon, once known as the “Switzerland of the Middle East,” is facing one of the most severe crises in its modern history. Over recent years, the country has been affected by overlapping shocks, including a deep socio-economic collapse, the Beirut port explosion, COVID-19, a cholera outbreak, the spillover effects of the Russia–Ukraine war, and the escalation of hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict since October 2023. These compounding shocks have left the population in a constant state of uncertainty and hardship. 
• In November 2024, Lebanon experienced its most significant escalation of conflict since the 2006 war.  Over the 14-month conflict period, more than 4,000 people have been killed, over one million displaced at the peak, with damage to infrastructure estimated at USD 14 billion.  

Current Emergency

• The total number of internally displaced persons is estimated at around 200,000, of whom 65,000 are staying in collective shelters, with numbers rapidly increasing. Others have left the country to seek refuge in Syria. As of now, the authorities have opened 282 collective shelters, of which 231 are already full, and plan to activate up to 700 more depending on evolving needs.
• Number of people killed is 52 and 246 injuries (but this number is increasing as we speak. (Ministry of Public Health) 
• Over 100,000 people from Lebanon including Lebanese, refugees and others have fled to Syria in search of safety.
• Basic Assistance: As of the 3rd of March, Medair’s teams reached 24 collective shelters across the Bekaa and Beirut, distributing over 16,000 items like blankets, mattresses and others to approximately 4,500 individuals.   

Medair Response

• We immediately stepped up our efforts, prioritising assistance to the most vulnerable families in collective shelters, using a multi-sector approach in the Bekaa Valley, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon. Thanks to pre-positioned stocks in our warehouse—which we manage on behalf of UNHCR—we were able to respond immediately. In just 24 hours, our teams reached more than 24 collective centres, distributing more than 16,000 essential items to around 4,500 people late into the night. More distributions are happening today.
• The focus now is on organisation and accurate needs assessment, while continuing to respond to the most immediate emergencies. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure that every displaced family has access to a safe place and the essential goods they need. In the coming days, we plan to strengthen our response by focusing on our key sectors and capitalising on the expertise Medair gained during the 2024 emergency response.
  • Basic assistance: Mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, etc.
  • Emergency shelter: Teams are currently selecting collective shelters, and carrying out urgent repairs.
  • Health: Deploying mobile clinics to reach displaced persons in the shelters assigned to Medair.
  • Water, hygiene and sanitation: Restore access to safe drinking water, distribute hygiene kits and monitor water quality.
  • Mental health and psychosocial support: Mental health awareness sessions and peer support groups, as well as the strengthening of referral mechanisms to specialist care.

Please Pray:

• Pray for the humanitarians, who are themselves impacted as well, providing relief support to people in need. 
• Pray for those who are already vulnerable, pray for the safety and protection of their families in these difficult times.   
• Pray for a swift resolution to the conflict in Lebanon and across the region and may God shield and protect those who are at risk.  
• Pray for those suffering and grieving across the region, so that they may find comfort and hope amongst the pain.
• Pray for peace for those living in Lebanon and across the region, so that during this time of fear and uncertainty they would be able to find times of joy and connection with loved ones.   
• Pray for wisdom for the Lebanon team as they scale up the emergency response.    
• Pray for the safety and protection of the people living in the affected regions. I pray that they may be shielded from harm and danger during these challenging times.  
• Pray for the provision of essential humanitarian aid, resources, and support to those impacted by the crisis.  
• Pray for peace across the Middle East.   
• Pray for peace and understanding among the various political, religious, and national groups, including host communities and refugees, affected by the ongoing crisis. May tensions be eased, relationships healed, and unity fostered amidst the challenges they face.