Lebanon: Malteser provide emergency aid to refugees

March 7, 2026

Cologne/BeirutDue to the fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in Lebanon, hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing. The Lebanese Order of Malta, with support from Malteser International, is distributing food, toys, and coloring books to children and providing medical care to those most in need in temporary refugee shelters.

“The civilian population in Lebanon is virtually defenseless against the attacks. There are very few publicly accessible air-raid shelters throughout the entire country and hardly any opportunities for civilians to seek safety,” says Johannes Schildknecht, responsible for Lebanon at Malteser International. Those seeking shelter are primarily being housed with relatives, in schools, and other public facilities. Schools have been completely closed nationwide. Many have spent the past few nights sleeping in their cars.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for humanitarian aid workers to help people. No one knows how long this support can continue, as there are hardly any safe areas left in the country, meaning fewer and fewer opportunities for aid teams to reach people,” says Schildknecht.

Malteser International has been supporting the people of Lebanon through the Lebanese Order of Malta since 2012. The Malteser primarily provide those in need with health stations, mobile medical clinics, mobile food distribution points, and agricultural projects.

The affected people in Lebanon urgently need donations:

Maltese Relief Service e. V.
IBAN: DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
Keyword “Lebanon”

Online: www.malteser.de

Attention editors:

Johannes Schildknecht, Lebanon head at Malteser International, stands available for interviews and sound bites.

Switchboard: +49 (0)221 9822-7181, katharina.Kiecol@malteser-international.org