More than a month after the renewed offensive in southern Lebanon, humanitarian needs continue to escalate, with over one million people displaced and thousands killed or injured.
Yesterday’s air strikes pose a tragic escalation and immediate threat to the lives and livelihoods of the civilian population. UK-Med is warning that the situation risks developing into a wider humanitarian catastrophe as health services struggle to cope with sustained demand.
One in five people have been displaced, which is placing significant pressure on already fragile public services, particularly Lebanon’s health system. Hospitals across the country are managing high volumes of trauma and emergency cases while operating under severe constraints, including shortages of medical supplies, overstretched staff, and damage to critical infrastructure.
Access to some areas remains unpredictable due to ongoing insecurity, damaged roads, and disrupted communications, further complicating humanitarian response efforts and limiting patients’ ability to reach care. Health workers are facing increasing challenges in maintaining essential services while responding to waves of conflict-related injuries.
David Wightwick CMG, CEO of UK-Med, said:
‘Lebanon is facing an extremely fragile and dangerous moment. Hospitals and communities are already under immense strain.
Without sustained humanitarian access, protection of healthcare facilities, and urgent international support, we risk seeing a deepening humanitarian catastrophe affecting not only Lebanon but regional stability as well.’
Yesterday’s ceasefire announcement did not include cessation of hostilities across Lebanon, raising concerns about continued civilian harm and the long-term impact on healthcare services nationwide.
Our medical team is based at the Turkish Hospital, Saida, southern Lebanon. They are focussed on supporting the emergency department and intensive care unit.
Yesterday morning, the UK-Med team assisted staff at the hospital to respond and manage a mass casualty incident, following a nearby missile strike. Ten injured patients were received at the hospital, and tragically two people were confirmed dead on arrival.
Medical teams report that repeated emergencies, combined with population displacement and uncertainty, are placing operational pressure on frontline health workers. Ensuring continuity of care for both trauma patients and those with chronic or critical conditions remains an urgent priority.
Medical teams report that repeated emergencies, combined with population displacement and uncertainty, are placing operational pressure on frontline health workers. Ensuring continuity of care for both trauma patients and those with chronic or critical conditions remains an urgent priority.
UK-Med has responded four times in five years to emergencies in Lebanon – from the Beirut Port Explosion to COVID-19 and the 2024 incursion into southern Lebanon.
We work alongside the national health workers, providing surge capacity at times of crisis.
NOTE TO EDITORSÂ Â
UK-Med is a frontline medical charity and WHO-verified Emergency Medical Team delivering expert health responses to disasters, conflicts, and disease outbreaks worldwide. Drawing on decades of humanitarian and NHS experience, UK-Med provides high-quality, life-saving medical care to communities in crisis.
