Ceasefire in Lebanon excites IOM

The announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has excited the International Organization for Migration.

 The UN agency,  welcomed the announcement and urged all parties to uphold it.

“The protection of civilian lives must remain the absolute priority,” it said, adding that the scale of displacement has been staggering.

Over one million people have been uprooted by this conflict, with more than 141,000 currently sheltering in over 700 collective sites across the country – many in overcrowded schools and government buildings where families share single classrooms without adequate privacy, heating, or basic supplies. Thousands more remain without shelter, staying with host families, sleeping in cars, or on the streets. 

The human cost has been devastating. Over 2,000 lives have been lost, healthcare facilities and workers have come under attack, and critical infrastructure – roads, bridges, homes – has been destroyed or severely damaged. 

Even with a ceasefire, the crisis is far from over. The destruction remains. Families cannot return to homes that no longer exist. Rebuilding will require sustained funding and critical resources. Without these, displacement risks becoming prolonged, potentially for years. 

IOM calls on the international community to maintain support for Lebanon’s recovery. Humanitarian needs remain acute: shelter, healthcare, protection services, water and sanitation, and mental health support. We stand ready to continue working alongside the Government of Lebanon and our partners to assist displaced populations, migrants, and host communities through this critical period. 

A ceasefire is the first step. Sustaining it is essential to saving lives and enabling people to rebuild.