Since then, the intensity of the exchanges has increased, with Intensified fire from Hezbollah and intensified attacks and some ground incursions from the Israeli side, leading to what Riza described as a “full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.””.
815,000 uprooted
A staggering 815,000 people have been uprooted by violence in Lebanon since Israeli forces responded to Hezbollah rocket fire in the early days of the Middle East war on March 2 with airstrikes and mass evacuation orders.
The rapid displacement reflects the magnitude of the crisis and its growing impact on civilians.
“The number of civilian casualties is enormous,” he said in an interview with Reem Abaza of UN Newspointing out the number of children among those killed. Eighty-three children were killed in the first week of the conflict, he said, with children accounting for about 20 percent of the total deaths, while women account for about 21 percent.
The figures underline what Riza described as a recurring pattern in modern conflicts, where civilians – and children in particular – are disproportionately affected.
Displacement is also disrupting education across the country. Around 120,000 displaced people are staying in collective sheltersmost of them installed in public schools. Classrooms have become temporary living spaces, leaving many children without access to school.
“Not only are children being killed and displaced,” the senior official said, “but children are also not having the opportunity to exercise their right to education.”
Fighting to rebuild lives
Our interview with Mr. Riza was briefly interrupted by the loud sound of explosions, after which he continued talking about his visits to shelters across Lebanon.
Riza said he had heard similar stories of families forced to flee their homes minutes after evacuation warnings covered large areas, including parts of southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Many had recently returned to their homes after being displaced during the 2024 escalation between Israel and Hezbollah and were trying to rebuild their lives.
“One of the things that many have said is that They were just trying to fight to rebuild their lives.“, said.
Among the people he met was a woman from Bint Jbeil who arrived at a shelter with her two children still dressed in the pajamas they were wearing when they fled their home.
“She said ‘thank you, we have some blankets and mattresses,’” Riza recalled. “But she asked if we could get clothes for her children and a frying pan so she could cook for the other people who shared the room at the shelter.”
Women “keep families together”
Despite the difficulties, she said women are playing a central role in helping families cope.
“Women are the ones who keep families together,” she said, describing how many are organizing evacuations and supporting children facing trauma.
At the same time, humanitarian response is becoming increasingly difficult. Riza said the current crisis is broader than the escalation seen in 2024, while Lebanon itself is in a weaker position.
Funding cuts reduce resources
Global cuts to humanitarian funding have reduced available resources, and the The strong regional support that helped during the previous crisis is understandably muted this time. as the countries face attacks from Iran, which Tehran says are targeting US bases.
During the 2024 escalation, Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain provided significant assistance. But now, those countries are affected by the broader crisis and are not in a position to respond in the same way.
““All of this together is, frankly, a perfect storm of unpredictable challenges.” said.
UN agencies are now repurposing existing funds to focus on life-saving priorities and preparing an urgent appeal, to be launched on Friday, to mobilize additional support. The UN is also tapping the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund and seeking emergency funding.
The impact of recent airstrikes is visible in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon.
The ceasefire is urgent
Still, Riza stressed that humanitarian assistance alone cannot resolve the crisis.
“What we need more than anything is a cessation of hostilities,” he said, emphasizing that only a political and diplomatic process can end the suffering.
Until then, he called for urgent international support, humanitarian access to affected communities and, above all, respect for international humanitarian law.
“Civilians are the most affected,” Riza said. “They shouldn’t be the ones to pay the price..”