"The world must show the people of Lebanon our strongest support in this hour of grave danger and profound need. Solidarity in words must be matched by solidarity in action."
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Lebanon is confronting profound institutional and social strain following successive waves of escalation in 2024 and March 2026, further burdening an already fragile economy and overstretched public institutions. These shocks have significantly disrupted recovery efforts, placing the country in a prolonged state of emergency that necessitates a response which not only delivers immediate relief but also safeguards national institutions and preserves hard-won socio-economic gains and long-term stability.

The crisis has triggered large-scale displacement, with more than one million people uprooted and many compelled to undertake shelter and seek protection. Shelters and host communities are under acute pressure, pushing essential services and infrastructure to their limits. At the same time, resource scarcity and the spread of misinformation risk exacerbating social tensions, inciting sectarian fragmentation and deepening divisions.

Under the leadership of the Government of Lebanon, UNDP is supporting national and local institutions in advancing a coordinated, data-driven response. This includes strengthening institutional capacities, sustaining essential services, supporting frontline responders and municipalities, and promoting livelihoods, sustainable energy, and social cohesion.

At the same time, the magnitude of the crisis highlights the critical need for sustained international support to invest in the systems that will underpin Lebanon’s reconstruction and recovery—from municipalities and public services to its economic foundations. Building on years of engagement in preparedness and national systems, UNDP continues to reinforce a nationally led, structured, and effective response that bridges immediate humanitarian action with recovery, stabilization and long-term systemic solutions, enabling a more sustainable path forward.

In Focus