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Ivan Bocharov

Program Manager at the Russian International Affairs Council

The situation in the Middle East remains one of the most severe in the world in terms of humanitarian problems. According to the United Nations, nearly 22 million people require assistance in Yemen, over 16.5 million in Syria, and more than 3 million in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In Lebanon, at least 3.7 million people, or about two-thirds of the population, needed assistance before the fighting intensified.

Already turbulent situation in Lebanon was aggravated by the escalation in autumn. In recent weeks, dozens of settlements were targeted, as a result, according to some estimates, over 4 000 buildings were destroyed. Hostilities damaged civil infrastructure, including water supply and communication facilities, and affected hundreds of thousands of people. The Lebanese healthcare system is overwhelmed and is currently facing substantial challenges. The number of internally displaced persons in the country, according to official estimates, has reached at least 1.2 million. Most of the people are fleeing from areas close to the Israeli border, as well as from the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Lebanon has hosted a considerable number of migrants from other countries in recent years, primarily Syrians. It is well known that this country receives the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometer in the world. Over 1.5 million Syrians have fled their homeland and moved to Lebanon since the outbreak of the civil war in the Syrian Arab Republic. This is a significant number for a country with a population of 5.3 million.

The active phase of the war between Israel and Hezbollah has coincided with the severe socio-economic crisis, that the Lebanese Republic has been enduring for several years. This crisis began in 2019 and was exacerbated in 2020 by the adverse economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a default on Eurobonds and explosions in the port of Beirut. Currently, the situation in Lebanon is still complicated. According to World Bank estimates, national debt is approximately 280% of GDP. Approximately 44% of the population lives below the poverty line, and unemployment exceeds 11%. Inflation rates are over 30%, particularly affecting the costs of energy resources and food.

The crisis in Lebanon represents an additional challenge for the Middle East. However, the prospects for resolving the emerging humanitarian issues seem vague. Even in humanitarian operations in “old” conflict zones such as Yemen and Syria, organizations are facing acute funding shortages, which in some cases lead to a reduction in assistance.

The situation in the Middle East remains one of the most severe in the world in terms of humanitarian problems. According to the United Nations, nearly 22 million people require assistance in Yemen, over 16.5 million in Syria, and more than 3 million in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In Lebanon, at least 3.7 million people, or about two-thirds of the population, needed assistance before the fighting intensified.

In recent months, the humanitarian situation in the conflict zone between the State of Israel and Hezbollah has deteriorated. Attacks on Israeli settlements by the Shiite movement have resulted in the evacuation of at least 60 000 Israelis.

Already turbulent situation in Lebanon was aggravated by the escalation in autumn. In recent weeks, dozens of settlements were targeted, as a result, according to some estimates, over 4 000 buildings were destroyed. Hostilities damaged civil infrastructure, including water supply and communication facilities, and affected hundreds of thousands of people. The Lebanese healthcare system is overwhelmed and is currently facing substantial challenges. The number of internally displaced persons in the country, according to official estimates, has reached at least 1.2 million. Most of the people are fleeing from areas close to the Israeli border, as well as from the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Lebanon has hosted a considerable number of migrants from other countries in recent years, primarily Syrians. It is well known that this country receives the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometer in the world. Over 1.5 million Syrians have fled their homeland and moved to Lebanon since the outbreak of the civil war in the Syrian Arab Republic. This is a significant number for a country with a population of 5.3 million.

In addition, due to the worsening of the situation in the conflict zone, Syria itself becomes a recipient of refugees. Thus, after the outbreak of active hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, nearly half a million people, including Syrian refugees, have moved from Lebanon to Syria. However, the situation in Syria remains challenging as well. The country is experiencing a socio-economic crisis and remains in a state of conflict despite the absence of active warfare. According to the UN, approximately 90% of Syria's population needs humanitarian aid. The republic faces high inflation rates and struggles issues with food and energy security. The restoration of civil infrastructure is occurring under the pressure of sanctions imposed on the country.

In some cases, Lebanese refugees passing through Syria move to other countries in the Middle East. Particularly, reports indicate that over 11 000 people fled to Iraq after the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon.

The active phase of the war between Israel and Hezbollah has coincided with the severe socio-economic crisis, that the Lebanese Republic has been enduring for several years. This crisis began in 2019 and was exacerbated in 2020 by the adverse economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a default on Eurobonds and explosions in the port of Beirut. Currently, the situation in Lebanon is still complicated. According to World Bank estimates, national debt is approximately 280% of GDP. Approximately 44% of the population lives below the poverty line, and unemployment exceeds 11%. Inflation rates are over 30%, particularly affecting the costs of energy resources and food.

A number of countries and international organizations are trying to assist Lebanon in dealing with problems. Even before the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the European Union supplied humanitarian aid to the republic. After the intensification of hostilities, additional support in the amount of at least 40 million euros was dispatched there. An international conference was held in Paris and brought together representatives from dozens of states. As a result, 1 billion dollars has been collected, which will be allocated to Lebanon. Furthermore, the United States expressed its intention to provide assistance as well. Several countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE, also initiated process to organize humanitarian aid for the republic.

The crisis in Lebanon represents an additional challenge for the Middle East. However, the prospects for resolving the emerging humanitarian issues seem vague. Even in humanitarian operations in “old” conflict zones such as Yemen and Syria, organizations are facing acute funding shortages, which in some cases lead to a reduction in assistance.

Despite individual initiatives, countries capable of increasing funding for humanitarian operations and aid supplies to Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East, are currently preoccupied with addressing other, higher priority tasks. It means that the crisis in the Lebanese Republic will continue to put additional pressure on the region for the foreseeable future.

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