ILO Launches Emergency Response Plan to Support Lebanon Amid Ongoing Crisis

The conflict has caused widespread destruction, with thousands of civilian casualties, leaving the country in dire need of immediate humanitarian and developmental support.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is actively implementing a multi-dimensional emergency response plan to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, in coordination with the wider UN response and national authorities. This plan, which aligns with the ILO’s mandate to support social protection, decent work, and economic sustainability, is designed to mitigate the impact of the ongoing violence and displacement on the country’s population and economy.

Lebanon is currently grappling with one of the most severe crises in its history, with over 1.2 million people displaced—equivalent to more than 20 percent of the country’s population, two-thirds of whom are women and children. The conflict has caused widespread destruction, with thousands of civilian casualties, leaving the country in dire need of immediate humanitarian and developmental support.

Immediate Action for Social Protection and Livelihood Support

The ILO’s Emergency Response Plan focuses on enhancing social protection through cash benefits, rehabilitating infrastructure at shelters housing displaced people, and ensuring the sustainability of jobs, enterprises, and livelihoods. This plan seeks to support the displaced and host communities by providing immediate relief, while also fostering long-term recovery and economic resilience.

Ruba Jaradat, ILO Regional Director for Arab States, highlighted the scale of the crisis: “The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has reached unprecedented levels. Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured. Lebanon and its residents are in need of immediate and impactful support to mitigate the effects of this conflict. The ILO’s emergency response complements the humanitarian response and prepares the ground for recovery.”

The plan builds upon existing ILO projects already underway in Lebanon, leveraging internal resources and repurposed funds from EU, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It is being implemented in partnership with national authorities, UN agencies, and worker and employer organizations to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

Enhancing Living Conditions and Job Opportunities

A major component of the emergency response involves improving the living conditions for displaced families residing in collective shelters. The ILO has initiated a series of works to ensure these shelters are safe and habitable, including construction, refurbishment, and winterization efforts to prepare buildings for the upcoming cold months. Local community members are also provided with work opportunities within these shelters, including roles in construction, cleaning, communal cooking, and other essential tasks.

Given Lebanon's ongoing financial and economic crisis, which has severely impacted the country’s institutions, public services, labour market, and social protection system, the ILO’s plan is crucial to alleviating the pressure on Lebanon’s already limited resources. The displacement crisis has only intensified these challenges, making the ILO’s intervention even more critical.

Strengthening Social Protection and Health Services

As part of its efforts to strengthen social protection, the ILO is working with the Ministry of Social Affairs and UNICEF to provide advance cash payments to over 27,000 persons with disabilities, and emergency top-up payments to over 5,000 vulnerable beneficiaries. The ILO is also expanding its emergency cash assistance programs to reach tens of thousands of others in need.

In addition, the ILO is collaborating with Lebanon’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and other UN agencies to enhance the Fund’s health insurance efficiency, aiming to expand social health protection for displaced and affected populations.

Supporting Agriculture and Livelihoods

Recognizing the importance of agriculture to Lebanon’s economy, the ILO, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, is helping farmers maintain critical agricultural production and protect existing agricultural jobs and livelihoods. The response includes providing resources for agricultural production, improving storage facilities, and facilitating access to markets.

The ILO is also running technical vocational courses in areas such as cooking and winter kit production, which provide displaced people with essential skills while creating new job opportunities. These efforts are designed to address both immediate needs for food and essential items while contributing to the longer-term economic stability of the region.

Strengthening Worker Organizations and Crisis Response Capacity

The ILO is working closely with Lebanon’s labor unions, including the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) and the National Federation of Workers’ and Employees’ Trade Unions of Lebanon (FENASOL), to establish crisis response cells and provide support to displaced workers, particularly migrant communities who are often excluded from government-run shelters and services. The ILO is also working with the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) to strengthen its capacity to meet the needs of enterprises and support displaced communities.

Assessing the Impact on Lebanon’s Workforce and Enterprises

To better understand the full impact of the conflict on Lebanon’s workers and enterprises, the ILO is conducting a rapid assessment in collaboration with workers' and employers' organizations. This assessment, which includes surveys and qualitative interviews, will inform future policy decisions and help strengthen economic stability and resilience in Lebanon's labour market.

In conclusion, the ILO’s Emergency Response Plan represents a vital, multi-faceted approach to addressing Lebanon’s immediate needs while laying the foundation for long-term recovery. With the support of national and international partners, the ILO is committed to helping Lebanon recover from this crisis and build a more resilient and sustainable future.