The aftermath of Lebanon's latest hostilities continues to unfold, with nearly one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) attempting to rebuild their lives, while thousands remain in precarious conditions. A recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shed light on the challenges faced by displaced populations across the country.

Returning Home, Yet Far from Stability

According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix, approximately 868,947 IDPs have returned to their cadasters of origin. However, for many, returning home has not signified the end of their struggles. Essential services such as water, electricity, and sanitation remain severely compromised, leaving returnees to navigate the ruins of their former lives.

Meanwhile, 115,439 individuals remain displaced, primarily in the districts of Sidon, Nabatiyeh, Beirut, Tyre, and Aley. These IDPs are housed in collective shelters, many of which are overcrowded schools or repurposed public spaces.

In Tyre, five public schools host approximately 600 displaced individuals. Temporary dividing walls have been installed in these schools to allow educational services to resume while maintaining emergency shelter provisions. Similarly, in Nabatiyeh, seven collective shelters remain operational, accommodating 236 individuals.

Collective Shelters: A Temporary Solution

While efforts to decommission collective shelters are underway, 3,769 individuals are still housed in 39 sites across the country. The challenges are particularly acute in Tripoli, where displaced families report the loss of both homes and livelihoods. To assess the feasibility of returning home, some displaced men have embarked on "go-and-see" visits to their villages, helping their families make informed decisions about resettlement.

Cross-Border Movements and Growing Needs

Population movements between Syria and Lebanon remain fluid, adding complexity to the humanitarian landscape. According to UNHCR, three official border crossings are operational, with the Masnaa crossing in Bekaa serving as the only route for vehicle traffic. Between 1,000 and 1,500 crossings are reported daily at official entry points, while movements through unofficial crossings remain unquantified.

As of January 7, the government’s Disaster Risk Management reports that 87,000 people, including 20,000 Lebanese, have arrived in Baalbek Governorate from Syria. Among these arrivals, 35,000 individuals, mostly Syrians, are living in 187 informal collective shelters, while 52,000 are staying within local communities.

Critical Needs in Crowded Shelters

According to the report, conditions in informal shelters remain dire. Overcrowding, insufficient partitioning, and below-standard living arrangements exacerbate vulnerabilities. Families in these shelters face critical shortages of heating, fuel, clean water, and sanitation. Addressing these urgent needs is a priority for humanitarian actors, as the winter season further compounds the challenges.