Lebanon is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, as recent cross-border hostilities have drastically affected essential services and infrastructure, read a situation report issued on Monday by the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) organization. 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that tens of thousands of people are currently deprived of basic services, including water, due to significant damage inflicted on civilian infrastructure like markets and farms. The UNOCHA warned that an "uncontrolled conflict" could impact up to one million people, while even a "controlled conflict" would still affect around 250,000 individuals, underscoring the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to implement substantial cuts in aid, affecting both vulnerable Lebanese and refugee households by up to 39% since November 2023. These reductions are expected to worsen the food security situation, depriving struggling families of essential support and potentially leading to heightened tensions and social instability.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that funding for operations in the Middle East and North Africa region is alarmingly low, with only $256 million secured out of the required $2.3 billion for 2024. This shortfall is likely to lead to reductions in planned expenditures in Lebanon and other affected countries.

Poverty in Lebanon has more than tripled over the past decade, now affecting 44% of the population, Anera cautioned.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis forecasts a rise in acute food insecurity, predicting that 23% of the population, or 1.26 million people, will face severe food insecurity between April and September 2024. The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and reduced humanitarian aid, affecting Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian refugees alike.

As of August 20, Lebanon has recorded 111,940 internally displaced persons (IDPs), marking a 2% increase since August 13. Displacement has affected 24 out of 26 districts across all eight governorates, with most IDPs concentrated in the districts of Sour, El Nabatieh, Baabda, Saida, and Beirut. The majority of IDPs come from southern districts, particularly Bint Jbeil, Marjaayoun, and Sour. The displaced population is heavily reliant on host settings, rental housing, and collective shelters, with many living in overcrowded conditions.

The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Lebanon's agriculture. Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes and the use of incendiary white phosphorus munitions have led to widespread damage to farmland, forests, and olive groves, with significant losses to Lebanon's agricultural sector. According to the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture, approximately 2,400 dunams (593 acres) of farmland have been completely burned, and 6,500 dunams (1,605 acres) have been partially burned. The destruction of agricultural production, especially in southern Lebanon, is compounded by extensive damage to electricity, telecommunications, and water infrastructure.

UNOCHA highlighted that at least 14 water infrastructure systems have been damaged, affecting the water supply for over 200,000 residents in southern Lebanon and the Nabatieh region. The water supply situation is critical, with water fee collection nearly halted, leaving the South Lebanon Water Establishment in a precarious position. Displaced Syrians in non-permanent shelters are heavily reliant on water trucking provided by humanitarian actors, with 43% of the population depending on this service for drinking water.