Following an exploratory mission to Lebanon in March 2026, Dr Pierre Catoire, medical coordinator and head of mission for Mehad, paints an alarming picture of the humanitarian and health situation. Against a backdrop of mass displacement, a fragile healthcare system and growing needs, he outlines the priorities and the response the NGO can provide.
What is the current humanitarian situation on the ground?
The situation is extremely worrying. Since the ceasefire broke down in early March 2026, the country has seen a sudden resurgence of fighting, with intense air strikes and ground operations. The death toll stands (at the time of publication of this interview) at 1,318 dead and 3,935 wounded. This has also led to mass displacement: nearly 1.05 million people are currently displaced, representing almost one in five Lebanese.
Civilian infrastructure has been severely affected. At least five hospitals have been damaged and have had to close, and dozens of primary healthcare centres are no longer operational or are only partially functioning. Access to the worst-affected areas, particularly in the south, remains virtually impossible, especially for humanitarian aid. Against this backdrop, the entire healthcare system, already weakened by successive crises, is now under immense pressure.
What are the priority health needs that have been identified?
The needs are both immense and complex. First and foremost, treating the injured is a priority: healthcare facilities are facing an influx of trauma patients, even as their capacity is limited.
Maternal and neonatal health is also a critical issue. It is estimated that there are currently more than 12,000 pregnant women. With the closure of healthcare facilities, the risk of unassisted births is rising sharply.
Furthermore, chronic diseases pose a major challenge. They are the leading cause of death in Lebanon outside of conflict situations, but access to treatment is now severely compromised. The price of medicines has skyrocketed—by as much as 1,100% over the past ten years—making healthcare unaffordable for a large proportion of the population.
Mental health is another critical need. Displaced populations are under intense stress, exacerbated by the succession of crises since 2019. Existing services are inadequate and difficult to access in the worst-affected areas.
It is also important to highlight the need for emergency ultrasound scans to enable rapid assistance to be provided to the injured.
Finally, certain groups are particularly vulnerable, notably Syrian and Palestinian refugees, older people and those with disabilities, who face significant financial and administrative barriers to accessing healthcare.
What answer can Mehad give?
The NGO can take targeted action to address these urgent needs. On the ground, Mehad has supported local NGOs in the emergency distribution of essential medicines, intended primarily for patients with chronic conditions living in remote areas of the Nabatieh region.
The aim is then to restore access to primary healthcare by strengthening existing centres and deploying mobile units to reach displaced populations, including those outside reception centres.
The NGO also plans to support hospitals in the worst-affected areas, in particular by assisting medical teams with trauma care. Specific training programmes may be organised, particularly in emergency medicine, maternal health and diagnostic techniques suited to crisis situations, such as emergency ultrasound.
Furthermore, Mehad aims to incorporate mental health and psychosocial support initiatives – areas that are still inadequately addressed – as well as support for patients with chronic conditions, by improving access to essential treatments. Particular attention will be paid to the most vulnerable groups, with a view to reducing inequalities in access to healthcare.
With the humanitarian crisis rapidly worsening, the needs are immense and the response is still inadequate. To respond effectively in Lebanon and support the most vulnerable communities, Mehad needs your support. Your donations are essential to enable teams to be deployed on the ground and ensure access to healthcare for those who need it most:
