UNFPA Flash Update #1: Escalation of Hostilities in Lebanon, September 2024 – Lebanon

Highlights

An escalation of hostilities occurred throughout Lebanon in September. On September 17 and 18, simultaneous explosions of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies injured more than 3,000 people and killed at least 37, overwhelming already overburdened medical services. On September 23, Israel significantly intensified its bombing of Lebanon following the outbreak of hostilities in the south of the country since October 2023. Nearly 600 people have been killed, including 94 women and 50 children.

• At least 90,530 people have been displaced in recent days, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to nearly 200,000, including an estimated 56,620 women of childbearing age and 16,160 adolescent girls. Of the total number of displaced people, an estimated 2,345 women are pregnant and 260 are expected to give birth in the coming month.
• 73,000 newly displaced people have sought shelter in 549 collective shelters across the country.
• UNFPA is distributing 8,000 dignity kits through local partners in designated shelters in Beirut, Bekaa, South, North and Mount Lebanon, providing psychological first aid and disseminating information on gender-based violence (GBV) and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse ( PSEA ) and available services.
• UNFPA has distributed IARH kits to 4 hospitals, containing life-saving medicines, supplies and equipment to enable 420 safe births for women, including those with obstetric complications. Additional supplies have been pre-prepared at the MOH, while kits to support another 1,260 safe births for women with complications await customs clearance. UNFPA also ensures the availability of medicines and supplies for the clinical treatment of rape.
• UNFPA continues to support seven mobile medical units reaching affected populations across Lebanon, as well as 29 safe spaces for women and girls, and 11 primary health care centers.