IRC programs disrupted in Lebanon as escalating hostilities across the Middle East put staff and clients at risk

Amman, Jordan, March 2, 2026 - The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is deeply concerned by the escalating hostilities across the Middle East and the growing humanitarian consequences for civilians and vital civilian infrastructure.

At a time when millions across the Middle East region are already grappling with the effects of conflict, displacement, climate shocks and economic hardship, these escalations risk pushing vulnerable families into even deeper crisis.

In Lebanon, where the IRC reaches more than 100,000 people with health, education, protection and livelihoods support, hostilities over the past twenty-four hours are directly affecting civilians and disrupting humanitarian operations. Some IRC staff have been forced to leave their homes as hostilities intensified, and evacuation orders and insecurity have disrupted services in affected areas in the south, in the capital Beirut, and in Bekaa Valley, home to many refugees from Syria. To prioritize the safety of our staff and clients, the IRC has temporarily suspended activities and will resume operations as soon as it is safe and feasible to do so.

Elsewhere across the region - including Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, and the occupied Palestinian territory - our teams continue to deliver critical assistance while prioritizing the safety and security of our staff. However, in many of these contexts the situation remains fragile. The IRC stands ready to adapt and scale up programming as conditions allow to ensure vulnerable communities continue to receive essential support.

Sherine Ibrahim, IRC Regional Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, and Ukraine, said:

"Communities across the region are gripped by fear and uncertainty as violence escalates. Civilians must not be made to pay the price for this conflict. We call on all actors to ensure that civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected, humanitarian access is guaranteed, and aid workers are able to operate safely and independently. Preventing further harm and averting a wider humanitarian catastrophe must now become everyone's immediate priority."

The IRC calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and prevent further suffering.