Lebanon Sees 4% Drop in IDPs, 1% Rise in Returns, Yet Humanitarian Needs Persist

In Lebanon, the number of internally displaced people fell to 334,353 by 26 August, a 4 % decline from 19 August, while 823,337 residents have returned to their communities, up 1 % over the same period. The latest count shows 19,543 people registered at 196 collective sites, down 10 % from the previous round. Displacement remains highly concentrated: Beirut, Saida, Sour, Chouf and Aley host 77 % of IDPs, and 94 % of displaced people come from five districts, mainly Bent Jbeil, El Nabatieh and Sour. Seventy‑nine per cent of IDPs live outside their governorate of origin, and 87 % of those who have returned are in Sour, El Nabatieh, Baabda, Saida and Baalbek. Most displaced households still face high costs—74 % rent, 11 % host settings, 9 % second homes, 5 % collective sites, 1 % at‑risk shelters. Humanitarian priorities therefore continue to cover cash assistance, shelter rehabilitation, basic services, health care, protection and livelihoods. The Lebanon Cash Working Group is moving from broad emergency aid to targeted interventions under the Shock Responsive Safety Net, while planning assistance beyond the Flash Appeal through the 2026 LRP Addendum, emphasizing vulnerability‑based targeting rather than displacement status alone.