Please refer to the attached file.
Introduction
Lebanon faces yet another devastating war, and the country’s already overstretched institutions are struggling to maintain the essential services that millions depend on every day, including water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) services. As Israeli attacks in Lebanon expand and the socioeconomic situation deteriorates further, inadequate WASH services would mean a range of grim consequences. Deteriorating access to hygiene, loss of livelihoods, loss of green areas, and health outbreaks are some of the many repercussions that Lebanon will face if its water facilities are not supported and water services swiftly delivered. Oxfam reached out to water establishments across three highly impacted regions in the country, namely coordinators for the South Lebanon Water Establishment, the Bekaa Water Establishment, and the Beirut-Mount Lebanon Water Establishment, to get a better idea of water services during the escalation. Water establishments are regional public utilities responsible for water supply and wastewater management in Lebanon.
Context
Israel has launched a devastating bombing campaign across Lebanon, heavily targeting areas in southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs, and the Bekaa and Baalbek elHermel governorates, as well as conducting a range of attacks in areas all over the country, many of which took place in dense residential areas. Since March 2, these attacks have killed 912 individuals and injured 2,221 others, whereas over one million individuals have been displaced and are now either in collective shelters and ad hoc arrangements, or stranded in the streets. The state of vital infrastructure, access to safe water, sanitation facilities and hygiene supplies, and access to general services remains a key concern. In late 2024, Israeli attacks damaged over 45 water networks in Lebanon, impacting nearly 497,000 residents1 . In this round of conflict, concerns are equally high, given the ongoing impunity that has allowed violence in the region and violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) to continue. As a focal point explained the unpredictability and lack of accountability governing the situation: “I’m more afraid of this war than the last one”.