Sweden provides humanitarian support to Lebanon
Published
Sweden is announcing a new SEK 65 million humanitarian aid package for Lebanon due to the ongoing military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which has caused a rapid deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the country. The support will be distributed among UN organisations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and civil society to provide support and protection for people who now find themselves in the midst of the crisis.
“The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is serious and deteriorating rapidly with the continued escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and are now in urgent need of temporary shelter, blankets, medical care, food and psychosocial support. Sweden is therefore supporting organisations that are able to meet people’s basic needs in the midst of the crisis,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.
“As always at times of war and crisis, it is children who are the hardest hit. Sweden is now sending SEK 65 million to the Red Cross, the UN and other organisations for food, heating, safe environments and medical care for families fleeing the devastation,” says Gudrun Brunegård, development assistance policy spokesperson (Christian Democrats).
The recent escalation in Lebanon is taking place in an already very fragile context, where humanitarian needs have long been extensive, people have been fleeing their homes and the economic situation has become extremely fragile. More than 800 000 people have been displaced in the country and civilians continue to be hard hit. Children, who are most affected by the consequences of the conflict, are particularly vulnerable.
Sweden’s humanitarian support to Lebanon in 2026 consists of SEK 45 million in earmarked support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and SEK 20 million from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The support is distributed between organisations with a well-established presence in the country and the ability to reach the most vulnerable, including in remote areas. The support means that people who have been forced to leave their homes can have access to emergency shelter, blankets, hot meals and psychosocial support. It also helps to maintain emergency medical care and to create safe environments where children can continue to be children, despite the ongoing crisis around them.
How the SEK 65 million humanitarian support package for 2026 is distributed
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), SEK 22 million: provides emergency support for the more than 800 000 people displaced from their homes. This includes access to emergency shelter, blankets, mattresses and water cans to meet people’s most urgent needs. The UNHCR also offers psychosocial support to alleviate people’s trauma and helps reunite children separated from their families.
UN Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), SEK 20 million: the LHF distributes funds to local organisations that quickly reach people most in need, including in remote areas. This includes delivering vital supplies to internally displaced people, both those in organised shelters and elsewhere.
UN World Food Programme (WFP), SEK 10 million: distributes hot meals, ready-made food rations, bread and cash support to displaced and vulnerable people in the country. Since 28 February, the WFP has reached more than 200 000 people and the organisation is in the process of further scaling up its operations.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), SEK 5 million: ensures that conflict-affected communities have access to basic services, including health care, water, sanitation, and economic and food security. The ICRC also works to promote respect for international humanitarian law, which is essential for the ability of aid workers to operate in the country.
Save the Children, SEK 5 million: provides support to children and families who have been displaced. This includes hygiene kits, baby kits, mattresses and blankets, and psychosocial support. Save the Children also ensures that children can continue to be children despite the impact of the crisis by offering continued educational opportunities.
Lebanese Red Cross, SEK 3 million allocated via Sweden’s support to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): provides paramedic services and blood banks, distributes emergency aid and arranges temporary emergency shelter for displaced people.
The SEK 45 million in funds are earmarked for the 2026 financial year within existing core support agreements, and the SEK 20 million from Sida is also allocated for 2026.
Funding for this support comes from the development assistance budget.
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 764 06 21
email to Lukas Zeiler
Press Secretary, Christian Democrats Parliamentary Secretariat
Mobile +46 76 531 06 68
email to Karl Gustel Wärnberg
