Countries: Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic Source: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Please refer to the attached files. All information valid for 11 March – 18 March 2026 Key Points UNRWA launched its emergency response in Lebanon on 4 March 2026. As of March 18, it operates two collective emergency shelters: Siblin Training Centre in the Saida Area and Battir School in Nahr el-Bared Camp in northern Lebanon. On 11 March, UNRWA ceased managing the shelter at Bir Zeit/Beit Jala School compound. [1] By 18 March, a total of 1,284 displaced people (371 families) [2] had been registered in UNRWA shelters. UNRWA launched an appeal for US $12.3 million to support up to 10,000 people in UNRWA emergency shelters and 63,000 vulnerable Palestine Refugees outside shelters. Between 11 and 18 March, no security incidents affecting on duty UNRWA personnel were reported. Overall Situation By 16 March, the Ministry of Social Affairs had documented the displacement of 1,049,328 individuals, including over 130,000 in more than 612 shelters [3] . Between 11 and 18 March, the security situation in Lebanon continued to deteriorate as the conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces intensified. New evacuation orders were issued during the night of 17 March and the early hours of 18 March for parts of Tyre, including the three Palestine Refugee camps namely, Burj Shemali, Rashidieh and El Buss as well as for the southern suburbs of Beirut and the Bachoura neighbourhood in Beirut. This led to a sudden and substantial influx of individuals arriving at UNRWA emergency shelters on 18 March. On 16 March, the Israeli forces announced the start of a ground incursion into southern Lebanon. UNRWA is working with community-based organisations, local and international non-governmental organisations in its emergency shelters to provide a full range of services. In its emergency response, UNRWA ensures critical coordination with partners on the ground, to help address the Agency’s limited financial resources. Between 2 and 14 March, an estimated 125,977 individuals crossed the border into Syria [4] .
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