Lebanon: Humanitarian Situation Monitoring (HSM) South and El Nabatieh Governorates (January 2025)

Context & Rationale

Between 7 October 2023 and 20 September 2024, Lebanon experienced a prolonged conflict that resulted in significant human casualties and extensive material damage. By the end of December, the country had recorded approximately 3,768 fatalities, 15,699 injuries, and more than 899,725 internally displaced people (IDPs).1 The economic impact has been equally severe, with physical damages and economic losses estimated at US$8.5 billion, according to a World Bank report.2 Following the ceasefire, a large portion of IDPs – about 819,693 as of December 25 – began returning to their areas of origin, predominantly in Nabatieh District (30% of total returnees) and Sour District (18% of total returnees).3 While the return of displaced populations signals a positive step toward recovery, many returning families continue to face considerable barriers in accessing basic services such as WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), healthcare, shelter, and education. Service provision remains hampered by widespread infrastructural damage and disruptions in supply chains and human resources. Furthermore, 160,000 individuals remain outside their cadasters of origin, underscoring the ongoing need for humanitarian support and assistance.3

In this volatile context, effective support for the most vulnerable hinges on timely and accurate data to ensure assistance is prioritized effectively. To address this need, REACH initiative in collaboration with Solidarités International continues to implement Humanitarian Situation Monitoring (HSM). Through HSM, population needs and access to essential services are closely tracked over time, enabling evidence-based decision-making to guide data-driven actions on prioritizing and targeting assistance.

Key Findings

• Substantial infrastructure damage was concentrated in 17 cadasters in El Nabatieh and 5 cadasters in the South, with residential and market infrastructure being the most heavily impacted. This underscores the critical need to prioritize infrastructure rehabilitation in these areas to support recovery efforts effectively.
• Limited access to basic services, such as healthcare, education, cash, and shelter, was driven by financial constraints, infrastructure damage, and security concerns. This was closely linked to high damage scores in certain cadasters, highlighting the impact of conflict-related destruction on service deprivation. These areas represent the most vulnerable cadasters in need of focused attention.
• The priority needs identified were cash, heating sources, food, and health support. As communities recover after the ceasefire, demand for livelihood opportunities is expected to grow, alongside ongoing needs for infrastructure rehabilitation and winter heating.
• The Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) index reveals substantial gaps in aid delivery, with nearly half of assessed cadasters showing inadequate or irrelevant assistance due to insufficient support. Notably, 36 cadasters received neither governmental nor humanitarian aid, highlighting the urgency of addressing these gaps.