Rethinking Humanitarian action in Lebanon

Since 2019, Lebanon’s deteriorating economic and financial crisis has had significant humanitarian consequences. Compounded by COVID-19, the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, and political deadlock, more than 1.5 million Lebanese residents have fallen into extreme poverty and are no longer able to access basic services. In response, the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) developed a coordinated multi-sectoral Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to address the needs of the most vulnerable populations, complementary to the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) which addressed the continued impact of the Syrian refugee crisis. In the absence of a viable government partner capable of providing assistance and protection to its citizens, both development and humanitarian actors within Lebanon have engaged in a combination of substitution and advocacy efforts to encourage state mobilization. 

In partnership with OCHA Lebanon, this Capstone focused on considering the best path forward for future humanitarian action related to needs deriving from a crisis of governance. How should OCHA and humanitarians approach supporting efforts that provide long-term sustainability in WASH, education, health and food security within the bounds of principled humanitarian response? The project output included an analysis of humanitarian assistance in Lebanon, a literature review, and insights derived from other country contexts, paired with recommendations to be used as an advocacy tool in driving change within OCHA. Interviews were conducted to gather first-hand observations of the humanitarian landscape in-country and in different contexts to best advise OCHA on how to maximize the impact of aid in Lebanon.