Beirut/New York, 13 March 2026 – The United Nations has launched an appeal for US$ 308 million to provide life-saving assistance to nearly one million people in Lebanon for the next three months as the country is drawn into the war in the region.
Speaking from Beirut, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was in Lebanon to show solidarity with the people there and “solidarity in words must be matched by solidarity in action.” He urged donors to provide rapid funding to expand life-saving assistance.
Guterres said funds are urgently needed because access to food, water, health care, education, and basic services has been dangerously disrupted while the military escalation across the region is taking a terrible toll, including in Lebanon, He said hundreds of people were killed in Lebanon and more than 750,000 were displaced inside the country while more than 90,000 others have crossed into Syria.
He pointed out that currently Muslim families are observing the holy month of Ramadan, and Christian families are marking Lent. “These are seasons rooted in compassion and generosity.”
Imran Riza, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, has warned that Lebanon is facing a “perfect storm of unpredictable challenges” as the current escalation began on 2 March when outgoing fire by Hezbollah was met by strong retaliation by Israel. Riza said it resulted in mass displacement and dwindling humanitarian resources converge, UN News reported
“The toll on civilians is huge,” Riza said in an interview with Reem Abaza of UN News, pointing to the number of children among those killed. Eighty-three children were killed in the first week of the conflict, he said, with children accounting for about 20 per cent of overall fatalities, while women make up roughly 21 per cent.
The numbers underscore what Riza described as a recurring pattern in modern conflicts, where civilians – and particularly children – are disproportionately affected.
Displacement is also disrupting education across the country. Around 120,000displaced people are staying in collective shelters, most of them set up in public schools. Classrooms have been turned into temporary living spaces, leaving many children without access to schooling.
“Not only are children getting killed and displaced,” the senior official said, “but also children are not having the opportunity to have their right to education.”
UNHCR: Up to 3.2 million Iranians temporarily displaced in Iran as conflict intensifies
While the UN Chief launched a humanitarian appeal to support Lebanon, the UN refugee agency in Geneva said large numbers of Iranians have been displaced by the war launched the US and Israel against their country. Ayaki Ito, UNHCR Director of Emergency and Programme Support and Cross-Regional Refugee Response Coordinator for the Middle East Emergency issued the following statement.
Geneva, 12 March, 2026 – Between 600,000 and 1 million Iranian households are now temporarily displaced inside Iran as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to preliminary assessments, representing up to 3.2 million people. Most of them are reportedly fleeing from Tehran and other major urban areas towards the north of the country and rural areas to seek safety. This figure is likely to continue rising as hostilities persist, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs.
Also affected are refugee families hosted in the country, mostly Afghans, who are particularly vulnerable, given their already precarious situation and limited support networks. Families are leaving affected areas amid rising insecurity and limited access to essential services.
With its longstanding presence in Iran – including operational reception areas, helplines and ongoing support services – UNHCR is adapting its response to growing needs, working with national authorities and partners to assess emerging requirements and strengthen preparedness as population movements increase.
UNHCR emphasizes the urgent need to protect civilians, maintain humanitarian access, and ensure borders remain open to those seeking safety, in line with international obligations.
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