The military escalation in the Middle East is having direct and severe consequences on Lebanon, a country already deeply affected by years of economic crisis, political instability, and social tensions.

For months, southern and north-eastern Lebanon have been hit by bombings and military operations, further endangering the civilian population. Entire communities are living in conditions of extreme insecurity, with fragile essential services and an economy already on the verge of collapse.

Since 3:00 a.m. on 2 March 2026, continuous bombardments have been ongoing in the Beqaa Valley, in southern Lebanon, and in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Hundreds of villages have received evacuation orders from the Israeli army.

There have been multiple deaths and injuries, and more than 1 million people have been displaced. Hundreds of temporary shelters have been opened, including in schools and public facilities, to host families fleeing the violence. Cinemas and theatres managed by the Tiro Association for Arts have also been converted into shelters to accommodate those who have lost everything.

In the Beqaa region, where ARCS operates alongside local communities and refugees from Palestine, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, Baalbek, Hermel, and several surrounding villages have been hit. Our staff is currently in an area considered safe; part of the team has been evacuated from Hermel as a precautionary measure.

In these hours, we have mobilized our Italian and local staff to:

• monitor the evolution of the situation on the ground;
• assess the most urgent needs of the affected families;
• coordinate humanitarian responses;
• organize the preparation and distribution of food and hygiene kits.