Following the second deadline for the cessation of hostilities on 18 February 2025, the country to the south of Lebanon withdrew from population centres in southern Lebanon while maintaining a military presence in five strategic locations along the Blue Line. Despite these developments, military tensions persisted, with reports of demolitions and shelling in border villages before and after the withdrawal, resulting in civilian casualties, raising the total number to 4,200 civilian deaths since the escalation. Meanwhile, protests erupted in Beirut, Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon between 14 and 16 February over internal political disputes, further heightening instability in the country. Humanitarian conditions remain critical, with 98,994 people still displaced outside their district of origin, while 950,652 have returned home despite extensive damage to infrastructure and limited access to essential services. Entire neighbourhoods, particularly in border villages, have been left in ruins due to sustained bombardments, with water networks, electricity grids, and medical facilities heavily damaged or rendered inoperable. Schools and hospitals have suffered significant destruction, depriving communities of essential healthcare and education services. Additionally, roads and bridges in affected areas remain impassable, further obstructing aid delivery and recovery efforts. Lebanon is also facing an increasing humanitarian burden due to the arrival of 89,400 people from Syria into Baalbek Governorate, including 20,000 returning Lebanese, further straining already overstretched resources. With fluctuating displacement trends and ongoing security challenges, the country remains in a fragile state, requiring sustained international support to stabilise affected communities, rehabilitate vital infrastructure, and ensure access to essential services for those in need.

World Vision report that looks at how long it takes for families around the world to be able to afford basic food supplies.

We cannot do it alone. Empowering local actors to lead the response, recovery, rehabilitation and development in their countries is a top priority, and building their capacity supports us to achieve our goals of ensuring every girl and boy has what they need to live a life in all its fullness. We partner with supporters, governments, local communities, faith leaders, civil society, faith-based organisations to support the needs of children and their families throughout the region

The Cash Waves research, commissioned by World Vision’s MEER office in partnership with Qualisus Consulting, aims to assess the broader impact of CVA programmes on mental health and psychosocial well-being, livelihood-resilience, community cohesion, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and child well-being amongst marginalised groups and youth.

This research, commissioned by World Vision’s Middle East and Eastern Europe (MEER) regional office in partnership with Qualisus Consulting, aims to assess the broader impact of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programmes on marginalised groups and young people’s mental health and psychosocial well-being, livelihood-resilience, community and social cohesion, and child well-being.

“Every day, we meet children who have forgotten how to laugh or play. They are fearful, withdrawn, and traumatised by the horrors they have witnessed,” said Emmanuel Isch, World Vision’s Syria Response Director. “If we fail to address their mental health and immediate basic needs now, we risk losing an entire generation to the invisible scars of war.”

The weeks following the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon have focused on assessments of the high humanitarian needs and economic costs. The conflict has caused massive destruction, displacing nearly 1.2 million people, with 179,000 still unable to return home due to safety concerns, destroyed infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. Though the number of people in formal shelters has dropped to 6,600, the strain on local communities and infrastructure continues to be overwhelming. The hardest-hit areas include Nabatieh and Tyre, where families with young children and elderly members face prolonged displacement are grappling with severe water shortages, unreliable electricity, and damaged facilities.

Lebanon is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis following 14 months of escalating violence. Over 4,000 people have been killed, including 290 children and 790 women, while nearly 1.2 million people have been displaced. Despite a 60-day cessation of hostilities, fragile security conditions prevent over 160,900 people from returning home. Many remain in temporary shelters, facing destroyed infrastructure and limited access to basic services. Nearly 100,000 homes have been fully or severely damaged, rendering thousands homeless and exacerbating vulnerabilities among at-risk populations.

The agreement on the cessation of hostilities has been extended until February 18. However, in the last week, at least 30 civilian casualties have been recorded. Access to over 70 villages in southern Lebanon remains restricted, preventing people from returning home and posing security risks for displaced populations attempting to rebuild their lives. Humanitarian actors continue to face significant access constraints, making it difficult to provide essential aid to affected communities. While the agreement continues to prevent a return to full-scale conflict, localised violence, military operations and security risks persist. The humanitarian response remains strained, with significant funding gaps limiting aid distribution, infrastructure repairs and healthcare services. Food insecurity continues to rise, with 1.65 million people facing crisis-level food shortages and 201,000 in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4). The destruction of agricultural land, market disruptions and logistical challenges are further deepening Lebanon’s economic crisis, affecting both displaced and host communities. Despite the challenges, humanitarian actors are scaling up response efforts, repairing homes and shelters, providing warm clothes and heat, and restoring essential services. However, with only 58% of the 2024 Flash Appeal met, a sharp increase in funding is needed to meet growing humanitarian demands. Sustained diplomatic efforts and international support will be essential in preventing further deterioration and ensuring a comprehensive path toward recovery and peace in Lebanon.