DRC statement: Lebanon ceasefire in pieces as hostilities surge

Families are trapped in a cruel loop: Sudden displacement orders, a scramble for belongings, and a race to escape strikes in minutes. The latest displacement orders in southern Lebanon and Bekaa show that there is no respite for terrified families.  

Those lucky to find space in one of the overcrowded displacement sites across the country quickly learn that these converted shelters lack basic services and supplies to support families over the long term. “There are 16 people in one room with us. You can only have a corner, and you’re supposed to fit your life in that small corner. That is not sustainable,” as one displaced mother told the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Many families use any remaining savings to rent accommodation, and those unable to find space in a shelter continue to sleep in tents in parks and next to roads. They are desperate to return home and see what’s left of their lives.  

A ceasefire that started a month ago lies in pieces. It is a ceasefire in name only and an empty promise in practice: Hostilities have surged by 85% during the so-called ceasefire, and 800 people have been killed, according to government officials. For families in southern Lebanon, the ceasefire is defined by the sound of drones, airstrikes and entire villages being flattened. “Our area has become a city of ghosts, filled with the fear of returning and regret for leaving behind,” said one internally displaced person. 

The so-called ceasefire should have been a turning point. It should have been the beginning of de-escalation, a permanent end to hostilities, safe returns, and delivery of humanitarian assistance to hard-to-reach areas. In every respect, the ceasefire is a failure. Instead, civilians continue to face displacement, insecurity, and fear. “Mental health impacts will echo for generations, leaving lasting emotional scars from the relentless nature of the conflict,” said a DRC staff member. 

The Danish Refugee Council reiterates the urgent need for full compliance with international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, an end of the violence and conflict, safe and voluntary return conditions for displaced populations, and sustained humanitarian access to all affected areas. At a time when humanitarian needs continue to grow, declining funding risks leaving vulnerable communities without the support they urgently require. 

While regional dynamics continue to evolve, humanitarian and recovery needs in Lebanon must not be deprioritised. The international community must ensure that support for civilian protection, life-saving assistance, and community recovery remains a funding priority alongside broader regional and stabilisation responses, in order to prevent further deterioration and displacement. 

Sabrine Derham, Lebanon Country Director