⚠️Have you been affected by the current situation?⚠️

This page provides information for anyone in Lebanon who has been impacted by the recent hostilities. It will be updated as new information or resources become available. You can continue to find other information on services and assistance throughout the HELP Lebanon site.

Stay informed by monitoring this page and joining the new UNHCR WhatsApp Channel at: help.unhcr.org/Lebanon/WhatsApp.

Here are some safety recommendations and important contacts for anyone displaced in Lebanon: Protection Key Messages. If you are thinking about leaving Lebanon, here are steps to consider before you travel: Know Before You Go 

🔔 Protect yourself from misinformation. Misinformation is spreading on social media. If in doubt: check well established news outlets and humanitarian organizations’ websites.

Before sharing a post, ask yourself: Who made it? What is the source? Where did it come from? Why are you sharing this? When was it published?

Emergency Hotlines and Counselling

Urgent health and emergency-related support:

  • Ministry of Public Health hotline: 📞1787 or 1214

Lifesaving or urgent health issues, including war injuries:

If you encounter an explosive device in your area:

  • Lebanese Mine Action Center: 📞05956143

For shelter assistance:

  • See below tab ⬇️ Urgent Shelter Support

If you are searching for missing family members:

  • See below tab ⬇️ Support for separated or missing family

To contact UNHCR:

For questions related to cash or food assistance from WFP: 

For assistance from UNICEF:

Urgent Shelter Support

Shelter options are extremely limited for displaced refugees and migrants. You are encouraged to try to find immediate accommodation with relatives, friends, or other solutions.

Please do not approach UNHCR offices or reception centers requesting shelter.

For additional information, call the National Call Center at 📞04726111 (Monday to Friday (8AM – 5PM) or the Online Contact Form at help.unhcr.org/lebanon/contact-us.

See below ⬇️ poster and numbers from the government of Lebanon:

Hotlines for shelter support for citizens: 

Support for Separated or Missing Family

To reunite children with family:

If you are a child and you find yourself alone without your family members, or if you come in contact with a child alone who wants to reunite with their family, call:

  • North: 📞 70126194 (Himaya)
  • South and Nabatiyeh: 📞 81616637 (Terre Des Hommes Lausanne)
  • Bekaa: 📞 81600048 (International Rescue Committee)
  • Beirut and Mount Lebanon: 📞 03988052 (Save the Children International)
  • Nationwide: 📞 71447523 (UPEL)

For support tracing missing family members:

  • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): 📞01727727 (Monday-Friday, 8AM–6PM)
  • Lebanese Red Cross – Restoring Family Links Hotline:  📞 71910269
  • General Lebanese Red Cross Hotline: 📞1760

Learn more about family tracing: help.unhcr.org/lebanon/family-tracing

 

Information on Cash Assistance

Are you receiving cash assistance from UNHCR or WFP through the Red Card and are on the move or have relocated within Lebanon?

Regularly visit this link to locate the nearest cash withdrawal point to your new location. Visit this link to locate the nearest contracted shop to your current location. Be alert to the security situation prior to accessing your assistance.

Temporary Cash Assistance

UNHCR and WFP are temporarily expanding their regular cash assistance to more refugee families previously unassisted starting October (UNHCR) and November 2024 (UNHCR and WFP).

If you are affected by the current situation, you do not need to request cash assistance: UNHCR and WFP have screened the files of all refugee families not yet assisted in the current cycle, and selected those with specific protection risks and some living below the poverty line.

Families selected for temporary support have received a notification from UNHCR on their phone on 4 October (support from UNHCR). Other families will be informed via SMS on 11 November (support from WFP and UNHCR).

If you have been selected by UNHCR, you must:

  • Collect your Card and PIN when invited via SMS
  • Validate your Red Card, either via SMS when contacted by UNHCR or via the weblink

If you have been selected by WFP, you must:

  • Collect your Card and PIN when invited via SMS
  • Validate your Red Card, when contacted via SMS

Once done, you will receive up to $145 per month for Syrian families or up to $105 for refugee families of other nationalities, depending on your family size.

Assistance will be provided on your Red Card every month through January 2025.

Accessing Services during Displacement

You can find information on available services and assistance throughout the HELP Lebanon website.

🟥Please note: UNHCR does not register Lebanese nationals displaced within Lebanon. UNHCR also does not facilitate third country resettlement for Lebanese nationals displaced within Lebanon.

Know your rights

  • You have the right to relocate away from hostilities towards safe areas in Lebanon. It is also your right to request and to receive protection and available humanitarian assistance.
  • If you are currently receiving humanitarian assistance, including with UNHCR, your relocation is not grounds for discontinuation from that assistance—you can continue to receive assistance in your new location.
  • UNHCR Community Centers remain open for activities or assistance in some areas. Before visiting, call ahead. Find a location and phone number at: help.unhcr.org/lebanon/community-development-centers

Preventing sexual violence is everyone’s responsibility.

  • In times of uncertainty, everyone has a right to be safe wherever they are.
  • If you, someone in your family, or someone you know is feeling threatened, harassed, or in danger: you have the right to receive immediate help. You do not have to manage this on your own. UNHCR staff, partners, and community structures are available for counselling and assistance, including physical and mental healthcare, safe shelter, and legal support.
  • Remember: all information you provide will be treated as confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your consent.
  • Find more information at: help.unhcr.org/lebanon/gender-based-violence

To find available centers providing clinical care for rape survivors, click here. (Arabic only)
Watch this video on available services for Clinical Management of Rape in Lebanon. (Arabic only)

 

If you are considering return to Syria or other departure from Lebanon

For information on voluntary return to Syria:

🔔 New announcements for departures to Syria by land:

On 26 September, the GSO issued an announcement on departure of Syrians from Lebanon to Syria through land border crossing points (https://www.general-security.gov.lb/ar/news/details/1091)

  • Syrians and Palestinian refugees in Syria (regardless of legal status in Lebanon) can leave Lebanon through land border points without being banned from re-entering Lebanon.
  • However, Syrians who lack valid residency (including those registered with UNHCR) are expected to pay overstay fees upon exiting Lebanon in order to not receive a re-entry ban
  • Only Syrians with a travel ban or judicial prosecution in Lebanon must undergo legal measures
  • Children born in Lebanon seeking to enter Syria must have a birth certificate fully registered in Lebanon, an identification document, and be accompanied by at least one parent
  • Syrians must present any form of identification document (ID, passport, civil extract), or present an official loss of document report

🟥 UNHCR cannot guarantee the practices at border crossing points

On 29 September, the Syrian government suspended the requirement for adult Syrian citizens to exchange 100 USD to enter Syria from Lebanon

  • The waiver will be valid through 30 November

If you are considering other onward movements from Lebanon:

Registration, Refugee status, and Resettlement

For Lebanese Nationals

UNHCR does not register Lebanese nationals displaced within Lebanon.

UNHCR also does not facilitate third country resettlement for Lebanese nationals displaced within Lebanon.

For Sudanese, Ethiopians, and other Nationalities

UNHCR is closely monitoring the situation of displacement of Sudanese, Ethiopian, and other nationals.

Registration and refugee status: UNHCR continues to provide registration services in-person (and remotely, on an exceptional basis). You can approach UNHCR through various channels to request a registration appointment.

  • There is currently a waiting period for those who newly approach UNHCR for registration due to the current security situation and increased demand.
  • Once registered, UNHCR will issue an interview appointment for Refugee Status Determination (RSD) to determine whether you are a refugee or not. Priority for RSD appointments is given to individuals with urgent needs and/or extreme vulnerabilities.
  • While waiting for your interview appointment or the result of your interview, you will be registered as an asylum-seeker and have access to assistance and services.

Re-opening files

If your request for refugee status was previously rejected or closed by UNHCR, you can request a re-opening for exceptional and limited circumstances.

  • Reopening is not automatic. Requests are examined on a case-by-case basis and only considered if there are significant changes to personal circumstances or country of origin information.
  • Due to increased demand, there is currently a lengthy waiting period. Priority for re-opening files is given to individuals with urgent needs and/or extreme vulnerabilities.

For more information on registration, visit: help.unhcr.org/lebanon/registration

For more information on refugee status determination, visit: help.unhcr.org/refugee-status-determination

For more information on resettlement, visit: help.unhcr.org/lebanon/resettlement

Report Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Humanitarians are not allowed to ask you for money, favors or sex in return for assistance and services! You can report your claims confidentially.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from Explosive Objects

Explosive and unexploded objects can pose serious safety risks. To keep yourself and your family safe:

  • Avoid areas previously occupied by military or armed groups or where hostilities occurred.
  • Stay alert: Always pay attention to suspicious objects. Unexploded objects can be buried under debris or in areas where children may play, like fields.
  • Learn what explosive objects look like: Find photos here: help.unhcr.org/lebanon/explosives
  • If you see an unknown object: (1) STOP, (2) do not approach, (3) do not touch, (4) call the Lebanese Mine Action Center at 📞 05956143. Stay where you are or calmly follow the same route you came from.
  • Teach children about explosive safety. Remind children that unknown explosive objects can be hidden and can cause serious harm. Help them to remember the five steps: (1) Look around (2) STOP, (3) do not approach, (4) do not touch, (5) scream for help or call the Lebanese Mine Action Center at 📞05956143.

Be Alert to Increased Scam Risks

In times of uncertainty, scammers claiming to work for UNHCR or other aid agencies continue to contact people by phone or social media like TikTok and WhatsApp. These scams sometimes use UNHCR’s logo while promising travel, cash, or other assistance in exchange for your money, favors, personal information, or sex.

🔔 Remember: All humanitarian aid is free of charge

Be alert

  • Be alert to people, social media, websites, or phone calls that promise services in exchange for cash, personal information, favors, or sex —they may be scams.
  • Keep your personal information and identification documents safe and confidential.
  • Only share personal information with trusted aid agencies and authorities when asked.
  • If in doubt: pause, reflect, and ask to verify with UNHCR or a trusted service provider.

Stay informed

Report fraud

  • If you have been a victim of fraud or if you suspect fraud: report it to UNHCR. Call 📞 04726111 or message us on the Online Contact Form (help.unhcr.org/lebanon/contact-us)
  • If you suspect that UNHCR or partner staff may be involved in fraud: you can also contact the UNHCR Inspector General’s Office directly at [email protected]

Talking to Children in Times of Uncertainty

  • Open a channel for communication: Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about what they have seen and heard. Let them know you are available to listen.
  • Do not lie or ignore. Even if well intended to protect your child, avoid lying.
  • Provide accurate information while avoiding unnecessary details: If your child has questions, offer accurate and age-appropriate information. Keep your explanation clear but simple.
  • Remain calm while discussing the situation: Staying calm reassures your child and creates a safe and secure environment for discussion.
  • Validate their feelings: Let your child know it is okay to feel scared, confused, or sad.
  • Limit exposure: Monitor and limit your child’s exposure to graphic or distressing images and adult talk about the situation. Talk about why it may be a good idea not to watch some content