EU strengthens aid for Lebanon as the crisis deepens

The EU is stepping up its support for Lebanon amid an escalation of violence and significant displacement, reaffirming its commitment to the country's stability. On top of last week's €100 million in humanitarian aid, the EU is also actively mobilising measures under its €1 billion 2024-2027 financial support package for Lebanon to meet the most pressing needs on the ground.

Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, said: "True partners stand together in times of crisis. The EU's support to Lebanon and its people is unwavering. Together with the Lebanese authorities and our international and regional partners, we are making every effort to ensure continued access to basic services. In addition to the humanitarian aid, under our €1 billion financial support package we are responding to the immediate needs of the most vulnerable while keeping on urging de-escalation and the protection of civilians. We will also continue backing Lebanon's security forces, whose role in maintaining stability remains crucial."
To assist those displaced by the escalation, the EU has allocated additional cash aid of €10 million for 100,000 vulnerable households, delivered through Lebanon's government-led safety net programme. With the national health system under severe strain, over 20 EU-funded mobile medical units have been deployed to support 67 collective shelters and areas under evacuation orders in order to ensure that the population retains access to essential health services.

The EU is also adapting its education response to ensure learning continues, by enabling remote classes for 50,000 students and providing digital training tools for 8,000 teachers. This expanded support will guarantee integrated education and child protection services in shelters and temporary learning spaces, reaching a total of 150,000 children and young people in need through both in-person and community-based programmes.

The EU is also reinforcing support to the Lebanese government's National Operations Room, which coordinates the emergency response. Finally, through the programme for durable solutions for Syrian refugees, the EU is supporting displaced people by supporting border monitoring and management of movement at key crossing points, including ensuring basic assistance for people crossing the border from Lebanon into Syria.

For more information, please find here the factsheet "Middle East: EU crisis measures".

(For more information: Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Jennifer Sanchez da Silva - Tel: +32 2 295 83 16)