The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, issued a stark warning on Tuesday regarding the deteriorating situation in the country, revealing that at least 3.7 million people now require urgent assistance.

"Over the past three weeks, tensions have been at their highest peak," Riza stated during a virtual news conference, highlighting the critical need to de-escalate the situation.

"The urgency of de-escalating tensions cannot be overstated," he emphasized.

Riza disclosed that nearly 200,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing exchanges of fire across the Blue Line, the demarcation line between southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Of these, over 110,000 are in Lebanon, where the situation remains dire.

The humanitarian coordinator expressed deep concern over the conditions in southern Lebanon, where shelling and airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 130 civilians, including 10 Syrian nationals, over the past weekend.

"More needs to be done to end these hostilities, to find a diplomatic, political solution, and immediately and continuously to protect civilians and humanitarian workers," Riza urged.

Riza also outlined the broader humanitarian crisis gripping Lebanon, pointing out that the number of people in need has surged to 3.7 million. This figure includes not only Lebanese citizens but also Syrians, Palestinians, and other migrants living in the country.

Despite facing a severe funding shortfall—only 25% of the UN's annual appeal has been met—Riza commended the efforts of the humanitarian community, which has managed to provide assistance to 1 million people in 2024.

"We need $110 million to finance the ongoing response for up to 290,000 conflict-affected people in Lebanon," he stated, underscoring the urgent need for financial support.

In his closing remarks, Riza reiterated the call for a diplomatic and political resolution to the crisis, warning that "a full-scale war in Lebanon would be devastating." He stressed that the international community must act swiftly to prevent further escalation and to safeguard the lives of millions of vulnerable people in the region.