Humanitarian crisis in Lebanon
The escalation of violence in the Middle East has triggered a serious humanitarian crisis, particularly in Lebanon. Within just a few days, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes.
In response to this situation, Swiss Solidarity is calling for solidarity and, together with its Swiss partner organisations, is providing essential humanitarian aid to affected communities.
Lebanon has been particularly affected. Within the space of just a few days, nearly 1 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Families are seeking refuge in emergency shelters, with relatives or in public buildings. Many have lost everything and are in urgent need of food, drinking water, medical care and essential items. In response to this situation, Swiss Solidarity is launching an appeal for donations. Together with its Swiss partner organisations, it is providing humanitarian aid to the affected population in Lebanon.
LEBANON ISRAEL IRAN
Women and a boy displaced by Israeli airstrikes carry bags as they walk at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, which has been turned into a shelter for people displaced by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Civilians are paying the highest price for the escalation of violence
Bombardments have affected several regions of the country, including residential areas.
Homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, and schools and public buildings are now serving as shelters for hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
The needs are immense: shelter, food, drinking water, access to medical care and essential items.
This new crisis comes on top of several years of economic and social hardship in a country that was already severely weakened. For many families, the situation is particularly difficult: some have already been displaced several times and have very limited resources to cope with this new ordeal.
Your donation can make a difference for these families.
LEBANON ISRAEL
Displaced family fleeing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon sit in a car at a highway that links to Beirut, in the southern port city of Sidon, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Humanitarian aid through Swiss partner organisations
Swiss Solidarity works with experienced Swiss partner organisations that are already active in Lebanon and have a strong understanding of the local context.
Thanks to their local teams and partners, these organisations are able to respond quickly and continuously adapt their assistance to the needs of affected communities.
LEBANON ISRAEL
Children sit on a sidewalk as displaced families fleeing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon arrive in the southern port city of Sidon, early Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
- provide essential items such as mattresses, blankets, sleeping mats, hygiene products and drinking water
- distribute food aid and cash assistance so that families can cover their most urgent needs
- strengthen access to medical care, in particular through mobile health services
offer psychosocial support to children, families and people who have been
particularly affected
Depending on how the situation develops, further measures may also be introduced to support communities hosting displaced people.
Our Swiss partner organisations on the ground
Caritas Switzerland
Caritas Switzerland helps people in distress in Switzerland and worldwide. In collaboration with regional Caritas organisations, it operates mainly where poverty reigns. Caritas provides emergency assistance in disasters and participates in reconstruction.
Website
Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), the relief agency of the Protestant Church in Switzerland, delivers humanitarian aid in response to natural disasters and armed conflicts and strives to counter the root causes of poverty and injustice. HEKS/EPER also seeks to bring about systemic change through its development work.
Website
Swiss Red Cross
The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is the largest and most important humanitarian organization in Switzerland. It helps people in need in the areas of health, integration and rescue. The SRC is represented throughout Switzerland and is active in around 30 countries.
Website
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is an independent international humanitarian medical organisation that provides emergency assistance to populations without access to healthcare, in particular those affected by armed conflicts, epidemics or natural disasters.
Website
Medair
Medair helps people suffering in remote and devastated communities around the world to survive crises, recover with dignity and develop the skills they need to build a better future.
Website
Terre des hommes
Terres des hommes foundation builds a better future for underprivileged children in more than 30 countries. Health and protection projects improve the daily lives of two million children and their families each year.
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Humanitarian crisis in Lebanon: Swiss Solidarity launches an appeal for donations
16.03.2026In response to the dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, Swiss Solidarity is launching an appeal for donations. The appeal supports the work of its Swiss NGO partners on the ground.