Nasser Yassin in Paris says Lebanon needs $250 million monthly to address displacement crisis and war impact

Lebanon's Emergency Committee Coordinator and caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin noted that "Lebanon will need $250 million per month to assist over one million people displaced by the Israeli aggression and to address the impact of the war and displacement on essential sectors."  

Speaking alongside the Paris conference, Yassin explained that "the response plan, supported by local initiatives and international aid, has covered only 20% of the needs of approximately 1.3 million people displaced from their homes and now sheltering in public buildings or with relatives."

He told Reuters that "these needs are likely to grow as daily attacks force more people to leave their homes while the Lebanese government struggles to find ways to shelter them."  

He explained that "the $250 million per month is required to cover food, healthcare, water, sanitation, shelters, and relief efforts, especially with winter approaching."  

Yassin noted, "Schools, municipal facilities, fresh food markets, and an empty complex have all been converted into shelters recently."

He emphasized that "there is still much to be done," expressing hope that "the war will end soon." 

He added, "We need a ceasefire today, and we need everyone in the international community, for once, to have the courage to speak the truth about what is happening. This is the message we are stressing at the Paris conference. A member state of the United Nations is waging war against a small country in one of the most aggressive ways we have witnessed in Lebanon's history."

He added, "If the number of displaced people continues to rise, Lebanon will not be able to prevent potential illegal migration to Europe." 

He estimated the damages to be in the billions of dollars, noting that "entire villages along the border were bombed in recent days, and public institutions were also targeted—such as water facilities, pumping stations, and hospitals. All of these need to be rebuilt."