The Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope, has strongly condemned a strike in Beirut that reportedly hit displaced civilians, killing eight people and leaving dozens injured.
In a statement released on March 12, the IOM chief expressed deep concern over reports that the attack struck people who had already been forced from their homes due to ongoing violence in Lebanon.
Pope stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be deliberately targeted during conflicts. She warned that many displaced people in Beirut are living in extremely fragile conditions after fleeing their homes with almost nothing.
According to the organization, large numbers of displaced families are currently sleeping in tents or makeshift shelters across the city. These temporary structures offer little or no protection from bombardment or other dangers linked to ongoing hostilities.
The situation in Lebanon has worsened significantly in recent months. More than 800,000 people have been displaced following large-scale evacuation orders across parts of the country.
Government data shows that about 125,000 displaced people are currently staying in collective shelters managed by authorities. Many others are relying on relatives, friends, or host communities for temporary accommodation, while some remain on the streets without adequate shelter.
The crisis is putting intense pressure on Lebanon’s already fragile infrastructure and public services, which have been weakened by previous conflicts and years of economic hardship.
IOM said it is expanding its humanitarian response to support affected communities. The organization is providing emergency shelter, essential non-food items, as well as mental health and psychosocial support for displaced families.
The agency also called on all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and allow humanitarian organizations to deliver aid quickly and without obstruction to civilians in need.