The reignition of conflict between Israel and Palestine marked October 2023. Whilst the aggression between these two regions caught the attention of the international community, the conflict also resurfaced historic tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border which has escalated to military raids and missile attacks between Hezbollah and Israel as of the end of September 2024. According to Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, air strikes have already displaced 1 million Lebanese citizens. This article will highlight how the U.K. responded to this new humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

UK Government Donation to UNICEF in Lebanon

The British government announced it was donating £5 million to UNICEF to support the response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. The package aims to address the needs of those displaced, including 74,000 children. To reach those displaced in Lebanon the money, sent on September 27, 2024, will go towards medical supplies, hygiene kits and fuel for water stations. The aid also includes training for emergency teams to respond to health and nutrition needs.

UNICEF currently has 35 shelters in Lebanon, which can host more than 14,000 people. Since the majority of these shelters are public schools the rising conflict has disrupted children’s learning. Despite this, UNICEF has delivered 26,380 liters of bottled water, 2,900 sleeping bags and two large high-performance tents to support demands for shelter.

The Development Director and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy Beirut, Victoria Dunne welcomed the news on the UNICEF donation and stated: “We are profoundly saddened by the civilian deaths in Lebanon. The number of casualties and the scale of displacement is distressing…The U.K. has been and will remain a strong supporter of Lebanon.”

Poverty Rates and Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon

Before the violence between Israel and Lebanon resurfaced, the country was already battling rising poverty rates. According to the World Bank, the level of poverty in the Middle Eastern country has “more than tripled over the last decade” and currently affects 44% of the population, as of May 2024. The World Bank recommends various interventions to reduce poverty in Lebanon. This includes implementing a social safety net, and macro-fiscal reforms to support price stability, allow space for social spending and make public transportation more accessible so citizens can reach public services such as healthcare.

The conflict could further damage Lebanon’s economy; the potential decline in tourism rates could produce a $450 million loss alongside the real estate and foreign direct investment sector, totalling $550 million in losses. This bleak economic forecast resulting from this conflict could exacerbate pre-existing poverty and humanitarian crisis in Lebanon unless a strong infrastructure and aid can support vulnerable citizens.

The UK’s Role in Lebanon’s Development

The U.K. has long played a role in assisting in social and economic development in Lebanon. This includes trade deals such as an agreement in 2019 between the two countries which led to Lebanon becoming the U.K.’s 100th largest trader in 2022.

Lebanon has also been a key beneficiary of the U.K.’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program receiving £804 million from 2010-2021, where 94% was given for humanitarian purposes. The U.K. also led a Community Stability Program to alleviate tensions between Lebanese and refugee communities by strengthening institutional responses to community conflict.

The Conflict Moving Forward

Though it is unclear how long the conflict between Lebanon and Israel will last, the rates of death and internal displacement are continuously increasing. As of September 10, 2024, the death toll from Israeli attacks was 589. However, since then the number of casualties and displaced persons has increased as Israel has carried out around 1,600 strikes in Lebanon whilst Hezbollah has launched 200 rockets towards Israel.

The U.K.’s legacy of humanitarian and development support to Lebanon should indicate that the British government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon should the crisis continue. The donation of £5 million to UNICEF will help international organizations working in the country to house the displaced and protect vulnerable groups such as children.

– Sofia Brooke

Sofia is based in Oxfordshire, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr