October 14, 2026
Beirut: “Lebanon Debate” – Basma Atwi
A report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on October 5 revealed a severe deficit in funding the humanitarian response plan in Lebanon for 2026, which was prepared following the Israeli aggression last March. The report indicated that Lebanon has received only $622.58 million since last spring out of the $1.62 billion that the Commission estimated it needed, which represents only about 38% of the required amount, and leaves a financing gap of approximately one billion dollars.
This lack of funding deprived about 1.5 million people of urgent humanitarian aid to confront the repercussions of war, displacement, high cost of living, and the collapse of family income. The plan, which was prepared in partnership between the government and the United Nations and with the participation of 155 organizations and partners, targets the most needy groups in the sectors of food security, health, education, shelter, water, social protection, and livelihoods.
This deficit comes in light of the slowness of donor countries and the Lebanese state’s reluctance to assume its social responsibilities, which places the poor and the most vulnerable groups facing increasing social and livelihood risks, and raises serious questions about Lebanon’s ability to respond to the crisis in light of its limited resources and the risks of total dependence on external grants.
Last September, the United Nations announced an additional annex to the response plan calling for $385.88 million to cover additional needs for the period extending until the end of 2026, which increases pressure on the already limited response capabilities.
This crisis highlights the problem of the Lebanese state’s reliance on external funding as an alternative to a clear national social policy funded from the general budget. It turns out that relying on grants puts protection programs at risk when donor priorities change. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to reconsider public spending priorities, develop unified databases for beneficiaries, and ensure transparency to reduce waste and direct resources towards those affected.
Observers agree that the solution is not limited to waiting for international financing to improve, but rather requires developing an integrated strategy that links emergency aid with economic development and social protection policies, and moving from crisis management through temporary grants to building a sustainable protection system that makes social support a permanent part of the state’s general policies.
