The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has rapidly deteriorated following the escalation of regional conflict in early March 2026. Large-scale displacement, collapsing health systems, widespread insecurity, and severe humanitarian funding shortages have created an urgent need for immediate intervention. In response to this crisis, the Doria Feminist Fund (DFF) has announced an emergency response initiative aimed at supporting feminist organizations and collectives working on the frontlines of humanitarian relief in Lebanon.

Through its Emergency Response Grantmaking program, DFF will provide flexible financial support and operational accompaniment to grassroots feminist groups responding directly to the crisis and supporting vulnerable populations affected by the conflict.

This article provides a detailed overview of the current humanitarian context in Lebanon, the populations most affected, and the structure and objectives of the emergency response grants being implemented by the Doria Feminist Fund.

The Escalating Crisis in Lebanon

Regional Conflict and the Triggering Events

The current crisis in Lebanon is part of a wider regional escalation that began in late February 2026. Coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Iran, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran launched extensive missile and drone attacks across several Gulf countries.

Shortly afterward, on March 2, Hezbollah launched precision-guided missiles toward northern Israel. Israel responded by launching large-scale military operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure across several parts of Lebanon, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and southern regions of the country.

The Lebanese government subsequently banned all Hezbollah security and military activities and demanded the surrender of weapons. However, hostilities continued to escalate across the country.

Humanitarian Impact of the Conflict

Casualties and Widespread Displacement

Within the first eight days of the conflict, the humanitarian situation worsened dramatically.

By March 11, 2026:

• 634 people had been killed.

• 1,586 individuals had been injured.

• Over 816,700 people had registered as internally displaced.

• Approximately 125,800 displaced individuals were sheltering in 590 collective shelters.

• More than one million people were affected by deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

The displacement crisis has expanded rapidly, increasing more than twenty-five times within a single week. Many families have been forced to move repeatedly due to continuous evacuation orders issued across multiple regions.

Evacuation orders initially targeted dozens of villages but eventually expanded to cover the entire area south of the Litani River as well as densely populated areas of Beirut’s southern suburbs, home to roughly 700,000 residents. These orders have been frequently revised or renewed, preventing displaced populations from returning home.

Collapsing Infrastructure and Public Services

Healthcare System Under Severe Strain

Lebanon’s healthcare system is facing an unprecedented crisis. Hospitals and medical facilities have been directly affected by attacks and ongoing hostilities.

As of March 10:

• Five hospitals had closed.

• Forty-eight primary healthcare centers were no longer operational.

• Seven additional facilities were functioning only in emergency mode.

• Fourteen health workers had been killed.

• Twenty-four healthcare workers had been injured.

The remaining healthcare facilities are overwhelmed by trauma cases while patients with chronic illnesses struggle to receive routine treatment. Pregnant and lactating women also face significant challenges in accessing maternal healthcare.

Reports have also documented attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, raising serious concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law.

Education Disruption

The education system has also been severely affected.

• 328 schools have been converted into shelters for displaced families.

• This has disrupted the education of more than 104,200 children.

• An estimated 181,000 displaced children are of school age.

The Ministry of Education has temporarily closed all institutions and introduced alternative learning programs, but many displaced families lack internet access or electricity, making remote learning difficult or impossible.

Shelter Conditions and Living Standards

The rapid rise in displacement has created overcrowded and under-resourced shelters.

Despite distributions of mattresses, blankets, sleeping mats, and pillows, many shelters still lack sufficient supplies. Children, older persons, and people with disabilities often sleep without proper bedding.

Shelter conditions have also raised protection concerns. Women and girls frequently report feeling unsafe due to overcrowding, lack of privacy, and inadequate sanitation facilities. Accessibility remains a major issue, as most shelters are not designed to accommodate people with disabilities.

Aid distribution has also been uneven in some areas, which has contributed to growing social tensions among displaced populations.

Severe Funding Gap in Humanitarian Response

Humanitarian organizations are struggling to maintain emergency operations due to a significant funding shortfall.

UNICEF has estimated that approximately $48.29 million is required to support humanitarian response efforts over a three-month period. However, only $3.24 million has been secured so far, leaving a funding gap of 93 percent.

This shortage threatens the continuity of essential services such as healthcare, food distribution, sanitation support, and child protection programming. Without immediate funding, humanitarian agencies may be forced to scale back operations despite rapidly growing needs.

Vulnerable Populations Facing Heightened Risks

Certain groups face disproportionate impacts from the crisis.

Women and Girls

Women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence due to overcrowded shelter environments and lack of privacy. Around 4,000 households are currently headed by women who are responsible for supporting families without partners.

Access to menstrual hygiene supplies remains limited, and maternal healthcare services are severely constrained due to hospital closures.

Children

Children represent one of the most vulnerable groups in the crisis.

Many children have experienced trauma after witnessing violence, losing family members, or being displaced multiple times. Psychosocial distress among children is increasing, while the availability of mental health support remains limited.

The number of unaccompanied or separated children identified so far is likely significantly underreported.

Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons

Persons with disabilities face severe accessibility barriers in shelters and sanitation facilities. Many have lost essential assistive devices during displacement and lack access to replacement services.

Older persons also face significant challenges evacuating conflict zones due to mobility limitations and chronic health conditions. Many older households are currently unable to access shelters or medical care.

Refugees, Migrants, and Stateless Persons

Lebanon hosts large refugee and migrant populations who face additional barriers to assistance.

Syrian refugees, Palestinian refugees, migrant workers, and stateless individuals often struggle to access shelters or humanitarian services due to legal restrictions, documentation issues, and language barriers.

Approximately 37,000 Syrians reportedly crossed back into Syria despite ongoing conflict there, highlighting the severity of the crisis inside Lebanon.

LGBTQI+ Communities

LGBTQI+ individuals remain largely invisible in official humanitarian planning and response mechanisms. Overcrowded shelters with strict gender segregation pose significant risks of harassment, discrimination, and violence.

The absence of inclusive services, trained staff, and protective protocols leaves this population particularly vulnerable.

Doria Feminist Fund Emergency Response Initiative

To address the urgent needs created by the crisis, the Doria Feminist Fund has activated its Emergency Response Grantmaking program.

Originally launched in 2023, this initiative provides flexible funding to feminist organizations and collectives responding to unexpected crises. The program focuses on strengthening feminist movements while supporting grassroots humanitarian responses.

The emergency grants are designed to ensure that frontline feminist groups can respond quickly and effectively to the needs of their communities.

Purpose of the Emergency Response Grants

The grants will support feminist organizations in Lebanon that have adapted their work to respond to the humanitarian crisis.

Funding may be used for several types of emergency interventions, including:

• Emergency community support such as shelter, relocation assistance, medical care, and livelihood support.

• Expansion of organizational activities to include humanitarian assistance, conflict transformation initiatives, and mutual aid.

• Organizational sustainability during crisis conditions, including replacing lost equipment, covering salaries, or securing temporary office space.

• Physical and emotional wellbeing support for activists and communities, including psychosocial support services.

These flexible funding mechanisms allow organizations to adapt their work according to rapidly changing crisis conditions.

Grant Size and Funding Structure

The Doria Feminist Fund will provide emergency response grants of up to $25,000 per organization.

Key features of the funding include:

• Grant duration: Up to six months

• Eligibility: Current and former DFF grantee partners in Lebanon

• Application process: Invitation-based

• Review process: Rolling evaluation by the DFF grants team

The fund is designed to support feminist collectives that are already responding to the crisis and delivering services within their communities.

Rapid Response Funding Mechanism

Due to the volatility of Lebanon’s financial system, the emergency response grants follow a rapid disbursement model.

Under this system:

• Organizations receive feedback on their applications within two to three working days.

• Grant funds are disbursed within two to three working days after the agreement is signed.

This fast-track funding model ensures that resources reach frontline organizations quickly during periods of acute crisis.

Additional Support for Grantee Partners

Beyond financial support, DFF will provide direct accompaniment to partner organizations to strengthen their ability to operate in a conflict environment.

Support includes:

Financial Management Support

Guidance on managing emergency funds and maintaining financial systems under crisis conditions.

Digital Security Training

Workshops designed to help organizations protect communications and sensitive information during conflict situations.

Psychosocial Support for Activists

Facilitated sessions based on DFF’s Psychosocial Support Manual to promote collective care, wellbeing, and resilience within feminist movements.

Strengthening Feminist Crisis Response in Lebanon

Since 2024, the Doria Feminist Fund has supported feminist organizations across Lebanon responding to humanitarian crises. Past support has included assistance for displaced communities, migrant workers, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and refugee populations.

Feminist groups have played a crucial role in providing:

• Emergency shelters for women and children

• Cash assistance for vulnerable migrant workers

• Relocation support for LGBTQ communities

• Food, bedding, and hygiene supplies for displaced populations

• Mental health and emotional support programs for activists and affected communities

Through its emergency response grants, DFF aims to strengthen these locally led efforts and ensure that marginalized populations remain supported during the ongoing crisis.

Conclusion

The 2026 conflict in Lebanon has triggered a severe humanitarian emergency affecting millions of people. With displacement rapidly increasing, healthcare systems collapsing, and humanitarian funding falling far short of required levels, grassroots organizations are playing a critical role in providing life-saving support.

The Doria Feminist Fund’s Emergency Response Grants offer flexible and rapid funding designed to empower feminist collectives responding to the crisis on the ground. By strengthening local organizations and supporting vulnerable communities, the initiative seeks to ensure that humanitarian responses remain inclusive, community-driven, and responsive to the needs of those most affected by the conflict.

For further inquiries about the initiative, interested partners may contact the Doria Feminist Fund directly.

For more details about the Grant, click Here.