The Minister of Social Affairs, Hanin Al-Sayed, expressed her deep concern about the large numbers of displaced people in Lebanon, and stressed that the available resources are insufficient to meet the increasing needs as the situation continues to be severe.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Al-Sayyed explained that the government has become the central body responsible for the displacement file since the beginning of the escalation, pointing out that the response began immediately after the events, and she said: “In 24 hours there were 60,000 displaced people.”
She added that the state was able to quickly open 300 shelter centers in a short time, thanks to the advance plans that were prepared before the outbreak of the crisis.
Al-Sayed confirmed that the number of displaced people registered on the official platform reached about 1.1 million people, while the number of residents in shelter centers does not exceed 135 thousand, which is only approximately 15% of the total number.
It indicated that most of the displaced people have sought refuge in their relatives’ homes or rented housing, which increases pressure on host communities and makes the humanitarian response difficult, especially in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
The minister indicated that the government provides basic needs of food, water, health care, and psychological services in shelter centers, stressing that the biggest challenge lies in providing funding.
She stated that Lebanon requested $308 million to cover the needs of three months, but the amount obtained so far does not exceed 30%, adding: “We are going month by month and we do not know if the funding will continue.”
She compared the current situation to the previous war, where the volume of aid amounted to about 700 million dollars, considering that the current amount of support is “incomparable.”
Al-Sayyed discussed the effects of the crisis on the education sector, with a number of schools being converted into shelter centers, noting the adoption of various solutions that include in-person education where possible, distance education, and the establishment of educational centers within displacement sites.
She warned that the consequences of the crisis on education represent a “dangerous dilemma in the long term,” stressing the necessity of maintaining the level of education despite the difficult circumstances.
This development comes in light of the widespread waves of displacement witnessed in the southern regions and elsewhere as a result of the military escalation, which has led to great pressure on infrastructure and basic services, in addition to the ongoing economic crisis that the country has been suffering from for years.
Official authorities confirm that the continuation of the war may hinder any economic improvement achieved in the recent period, while the radical solution remains linked to stopping military operations.
Al-Sayyed concluded her speech by emphasizing that ending the war is the best solution to address the crisis, saying: “We hope that this war will end as soon as possible. Lebanon did not choose these circumstances, nor did its people.”
