The escalation of hostilities in Lebanon has now entered day 15, while regional tensions linked to the wider conflict continued for 17 days, with no immediate indication of de-escalation. Evacuation orders continue to expand across South Lebanon, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley, with warnings issued by the country to the south instructing residents to evacuate and indicating that return will not be permitted until further notice. Reports state that entire families who chose to remain in their homes in some affected areas have been killed during strikes, highlighting the severe protection risks facing civilians. In recent days, strikes have increasingly targeted critical infrastructure and transport routes, including two key bridges connecting major towns in South Lebanon, further disrupting civilian movement and humanitarian access. Trucks transporting goods are reportedly warned not to move along the southern coastal road, further constraining assistance delivery. Airstrikes also impacted central Beirut and residential areas in Mount Lebanon, reflecting the continued expansion of hostilities beyond traditional frontline zones. Meanwhile, displacement continues to rise, and shelter capacity remains under severe strain. With collective shelters overcrowded or at full capacity, many displaced families have been forced to seek alternative arrangements, including unfinished buildings, informal shelters, and makeshift tents along the coastal Corniche from Saida to Beirut. Recent heavy rainstorms and falling temperatures have further worsened conditions, destroying displacement tents and flooding temporary sites, leaving displaced households exposed to harsh weather and heightened risks. The prolonged escalation is also contributing to pockets of civil unrest, as well as heightened social tensions in several areas, with growing fears among communities that prolonged displacement and political polarization could increase the risk of localized sectarian tensions.

15 years after the Syria conflict began, millions of children are still paying the price. Renewed escalations in the Middle East threaten families already coping with hunger, displacement, and trauma. Today, over 7 million children in Syria need humanitarian assistance, and in 2025, World Vision Syria Response reached 2.5 million children with food, water, education, protection, and psychosocial support. Sustained international support is essential to meet the needs of Syria’s children and help them rebuild their lives after years of crisis.

The escalation of hostilities in Lebanon is intense and rapidly expanding, resulting in nearly 820,000 forcibly displaced people - more than 200,000 of them children - in less than two weeks. Evacuation orders are expanding, with the country to the south launching the ‘South of Zahrani River’ initiative. Evacuation orders now encompass the entire region south of the Litani River, triggering waves of mass displacement as well as repeated displacement among already vulnerable families. In several Christian-majority towns in the South, residents initially resisted leaving their homes, but were ultimately evacuated under the escort of UNIFIL for civilian protection. Hostilities are increasingly affecting areas beyond the ‘traditional’ frontline zones, a troubling trend that points to a more aggressive escalation than that of 2024. Recent airstrikes hit the neighborhoods of Haret Saida, Tyre, Aramoun, Ramlet El Bayda, areas deemed safer, in one case targeting a car nearby displaced families staying in tents. Targeting of central Beirut is new - with strikes on hotels and residential buildings that inevidably affect civilians in the surrounding areas. An estimated have been killed, with 81 children killed since March 1. UNICEF estimates that 10 children per day are killed. Lebanon’s Ministry of Social Affairs reports 822,600 internally displaced people self-registered on the Government’s digital platform, indicating that overall displacement is significantly higher than that captured through collective shelter reporting. In addition, almost 84,000 Syrians and more than 8,000 Lebanese have crossed into Syria since 2 March. Violations to International Humanitarian Law continue, with frontline responders at great risk. To date, 14 paramedics were killed, including one member of the Lebanese Red Cross, underscoring the growing risks faced by emergency personnel.

Explore World Vision Lebanon’s FY25 country profile, highlighting impact, reach, and programmes supporting over 900,000 people across Lebanon.

MEER faces some of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises. Shifting conflict dynamics, climate shocks, and economic deterioration continue to drive multi-layered and chronic needs. Despite the volatile context, shrinking funding and civic space, and access challenges, World Vision has maintained operational presence and scaled up humanitarian programming across the region for more than five decades.

The current escalation follows prolonged instability and military activity despite the 27 November 2024 cessation of hostilities. Since the ceasefire came into effect, more than 10,000 air and ground violations have been recorded, resulting in at least 335 people killed and 973 injured as of 5 January 2026. Reported incidents have included airspace incursions, cross-border fire, and military activity in Baalbek, Hermel, and southern areas, alongside the continued presence of foreign military forces in five border villages. Prior to the renewed escalation in March 2026, an estimated 62,000 to 90,000 people remained internally displaced from earlier conflicts, underscoring the protracted nature of the crisis and the heightened humanitarian vulnerability across affected regions. Over the weekend, regional tensions escalated following developments involving the United States and Iran, with hostilities expanding into the country to the south of Lebanon and Lebanon on 2nd of March. Airstrikes were reported across multiple areas, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, and South Lebanon. According to Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit sources, an estimated more than 81,791 internally displaced persons (IDPs) including 9,000 children, have been recorded thus far, primarily in Beirut & Mount Lebanon (BML), Bekaa, Baalbek, and southern governorates. So far, over 60 people have been reported killed and at least 154 injured, with figures continuing to evolve. Warnings have been issued to evacuate over 200 towns across Lebanon, contributing to significant population movement from border areas and high-risk locations, while shelter data remains fluid due to continued secondary displacement and movement between collective sites.

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), attacks between 2 and 8 March have resulted in 394 people killed and 1,130 injured, with figures Increasing daily. Displacement orders issued in the last days, including renewed orders affecting areas south of the Litani River and the entirety of Beirut’s southern suburbs, have triggered further population movements and repeated displacement for many households. As of 8 March, the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit reports 117,228 displaced individuals residing in 538 collective shelters. The Government of Lebanon has launched a national self-registration platform for internally displaced persons, with over 517,000 people, indicating the potential scale of displacement beyond those recorded in collective shelters. Recent days have seen hostilities expand beyond traditional frontline areas, including blanket evacuation orders affecting Beirut’s southern suburbs, warnings and subsequent strikes targeting branches of the Al-Qard- Al-Hassan Association. Airstrikes have also impacted locations outside the declared warning zones, including a hotel in central Beirut and an earlier strike on a hotel in Hazmieh, both situated outside the primary red-zone areas. These incidents highlight the widening geographic scope of the conflict and the continued risks to civilians and humanitarian operations across areas.

World Vision Lebanon is calling for urgent protection and support for children as expanding evacuation orders and escalating insecurity trigger a new wave of internal displacement across Lebanon. Since the first hours of the escalation, World Vision Lebanon has reached more than 57,000 people, including more than 20,000 children, with blankets, hot meals, family hygiene kits, and mattresses among other supplies. However, humanitarian needs are expected to continue rising in the coming days, with thousands of children likely to require psychosocial support and protection services.

The escalation of violence across the Middle East is placing millions of children and their families at serious risk of harm and death, warns World Vision International.