هذه المقالة متاحة أيضًا بـ: العربية (Arabic)
As part of its ongoing work to protect and promote human rights in Lebanon, the National Human Rights Commission, which includes the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, conducted a field visit to document the conditions of the Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Aley district. This visit came within the framework of efforts to assess the humanitarian situation of displaced persons suffering from the repercussions of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Lebanon and provide accurate reports to the relevant authorities and governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with this crisis.
The visit was led by Raymond Medlej, a member of the Commission, who visited several shelters, including the Qamatiyeh Public School and the Nahda School in Bmekin, which are housing thousands of displaced persons. These schools, preparing to receive students for the new school year, have been transformed into temporary shelters for these displaced persons.
Conditions of the IDPs in Aley District
In the Qamatiyeh area, there are more than ten thousand displaced persons distributed across several shelters. Their main shelters are the Qamatiyeh Public School and the Nahda School in Bmekin, in addition to several other schools and public facilities that have been converted into shelters. Raymond Medlej explained during his visit that the displaced expressed their gratitude for the support they receive, especially about providing daily meals. However, the IDPs indicated that some challenges still exist, especially with the approach of winter. Although winter clothes have started to reach them, their need for winter shoes and warm clothes for women and children has yet to be fully met, and they have received promises from some concerned parties to provide them soon. One of the most prominent concerns expressed by the displaced is the shortage of diesel, which is necessary for heating and water heating. Although there are heating systems in some centers, the provision of the fuel needed to operate them still needs to be made clearer. Displaced people in the centers that do not have central heating systems are also significant major problem, as they depend on heaters and stoves, still need to beet been provided. Despite the promises made to them, the displaced people remain concerned about the delay in implementing these promises, especially as temperatures begin to drop.
Water and health services
Regarding water, the displaced are OK with obtaining drinking water, as they benefit from a freshwater spring affiliated with Deir al-Shir, which covers the needs of the residents of the area and the displaced alike. As for water designated for daily use, the displaced either obtain it from the residents of the area’s residents it with their own money.
The displaced benefit from the medical services provided in the area. There is a very advanced clinic in Qamatiyeh, equipped with the latest medical equipment and a nseveralecialized doctors working in major hospitals in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. This clinic, which provides its services almost free of charge, constitutes a health haven for the displaced and is. It is referred to by the local population and the displaced alike as a small hospital that contributes to providing the necessary health care in these difficult circumstances.
Support and assistance
Despite the relative improvement in the situation, the assistance received by the displaced still needs to be improved. Although meals and basic aid such as clothing and plan regularly reaching them, many displaced people have expressed their need for more support, especially with the approaching winter season requiring additional heating and shelter supplies. Several NGOs and the Red Cross regularly visit the shelters to provide assistance and follow up on the conditions of the displaced people, but. Still, humanitarian needs remain more significant than the current capabilities available.
Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement
Through this field visit, the National Commission for Human Rights confirms that the conditions of the displaced people in the Aley district require more coordination between the relevant authorities to provide the necessary needs, especially with the approaching winter season. Despite the efforts made to improve the displaced’s conditions, major challenges stilsignificantuire urgent solutions to ensure that all their humanitarian needs are met.
The Commission calls for continued support and assistance from local and international parties. Itstresses the importance of prassistingn a regular regularly and continuously the suffering of the displaced and ensure that they receive the necessary protection and care in these difficult circumstances.
The Commission stresses the need to respect the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, which defines internally displaced persons as “persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or man-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border.”
Humanitarian Response in Lebanon
As of Friday, 1,108 a1,108 approved centers have been opened to shelter and receive displaced persons, with 931nced emergency shelters.
The displacement from areas experiencing attacks continues, with a registered total of 189,169 displaced persons in approved shelters (42,907 families). The most displaced individuals are recorded in the Mount Lebanon and Beirut areas, but the number of displaced persons is much higher.
From September 23 to October 26, 2024, the General Security reported the crossing of 349,796 Syrian citizens and 159,148 Lebanese citizens into Syrian territory.
In the past 24 hours, 76 airstrikes hit southern Lebanon and Nabatieh, bringing the total to 12,360 attacks. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 19 deaths and 108 injuries in the last 24 hours, with total casualties of 2,653 dead and 12,360 wounded since the conflict began.
The Lebanese Minister of Health reported that attacks on health organizations have reached nearly 200 incidents, with 163 health workers killed, 272 injured, and 55 attacks on hospitals—36 of which were direct hits, causing 8 closures.
“Lebanon is now facing a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions, with mounting civilian casualties, mass displacement, and extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure across the country.” This was stated by the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, emphasizing that the protection of civilians must be a top priority. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN official, expressed concern over the rising number of attacks on health facilities and their workers, noting that first responders heeding the call to help, including healthcare personnel and paramedics, have also been hard hit.
Economic bodies have pointed out that the success of the Paris International Conference in raising $1 billion—far exceeding the expected $500 million—reflects the strong global support for Lebanon and the commitment to protect its stability.
The head of the Central Emergency Committee, Nasser Yassin, stated that the conference established mechanisms to follow up on aid expected to arrive through international organizations in Lebanon. AdditEnergy Minister Walid Fayyad als annoounced that the war has caused losses of $480 million in the energy sector, with the conference designating funds for service sectors. It is worth noting that the allocated amounts are distributed as follows: $800 million for relief efforts, approximately half of which is designated for the maintenance of infrastructure and public services such as water, electricity, and telecommunications, while the other half is allocated for relief efforts and medications. Additionally, $200 million is allocatethe d for earmarkanese Army.
Resources
The following items are resources produced or selected by the Special Rapporteur on the topic of internal displacement, Which the National Human Rights Commission in Lebanon seeks to advocate and raise awareness about in light of the current crisis facing Lebanon:
This publication is the culmination of a three-year multi-stakeholder initiative to mark the 20th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (GP20 Initiative). It is a compilation of practices to prevent, address, and resolve internal displacemen. Itd showcases some of the examples exchangedfromd 2018-2020 by governments, UN agencies, NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the World Bank, and other key experts on internal displacement.
International Recommendations on Internally Displaced Persons Statistics (IRIS) (March 2020)
Adopted by the Expert Group on Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Statistics (EGRIS)
National Instruments on Internal Displacement: A Guide to their Development (August 2013)
This guide builds on the expertise of various policymakers and is the culmination of a multi-year research project and consultation process. It complements Protecting Internally Displaced Persons: A Manual for Law and Policymakers – published by the Brookings Institution in October 2008.
IASC Operational Guidelines on the Protection of Persons in Situations of Natural Disaster (January 2011)
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) adopted Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters 2006 to promote and facilitate a rights-based approach to disaster relief. This revised verguidelines versionpands the rights-based approach to include preparedness measures.
IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (April 2010)
Published by the Brookings Institution – University of Bern Project on Internal Displacement and endorsed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)
Protecting Internally Displaced Persons: A Manual for Law and Policymakers (October 2008)
This manual, published by the Brookings Institution—University of Bern: Project on Internal Displacement, represents the culmination of a three-year process of research and consultation initiated by the former Representative of the Secretary-G-neral on the human rights of internally displaced persons. It provides guidance to national authorities on the content of domestic legislation and policies on internal displacement by focusing on the process of developing such instruments.
Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: Annotations by Walter Kälin (2008)
Published by the American Society of International Law and the Brookings Institution
 in the Aley district){kind=link}