NNA - Under the joint chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tarek Mitri and UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) Steering Committee convened on the 24th of July 2025 at the Grand Serail to endorse the joint framework. Calling for $2.99 billion US dollars to support 3.6 million vulnerable people with humanitarian and stabilization support, in 2025, the LRP includes for the first time a standalone chapter on return, reflecting a joint commitment to support safe, dignified and informed returns for displaced Syrians. In addition, the Steering Committee approved a one-year extension of the LRP for 2026 and the timeline for preparation of the framework extension.
“One of the greatest strengths of the LRP is that it is co-led by the Government of Lebanon. We reaffirm our commitment to full government leadership in shaping priorities and aligning the response with our national vision,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tarek Mitri. “In times of crisis, needs do not carry a nationality. We commend the LRP’s shift toward an inclusive, needs-based approach that supports all vulnerable communities—Lebanese, Syrians, and others alike.”
“The LRP reflects a collective commitment from the Government, the UN, and partners to deliver inclusive services, strengthen institutions, and contribute to Lebanon’s stability,” said Imran Riza, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. “For the first time, the LRP includes a dedicated chapter on return—an important step toward principled and coordinated planning around this complex issue.”
Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Sayed, added “With the inclusion of the Return Chapter, we are entering a new phase—one marked by renewed hope and a clear national priority to advance durable solutions for displaced Syrians.” On social protection, Minister Sayed added “We are laying the foundation for a transition to the national social safety net program—AMAN—by linking humanitarian aid with nationally led, shock-responsive systems. This is a step toward localization and sustainable recovery.”
Today’s Steering Committee meeting reaffirmed the collective commitment to deliver principled, inclusive, and coordinated assistance, while reinforcing national institutions and setting the foundations for stabilization and recovery.
Members of the Steering Committee in attendance included the Ministers (or their designates) for Social Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Economy and Trade, Energy and Water, Education and Higher Education, Labor, Interior and Municipalities, Environment, Agriculture, and Public Health; the Ambassadors to Lebanon (or their designates) of the European Union, Canada, France, Germany, and the United States of America; as well as Representatives of UN Agencies and national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supporting the LRP’s implementation. Members of the Steering Committee reiterated their commitment to supporting the LRP through 2025 and into 2026.
The LRP is an integrated humanitarian and stabilization response plan co-led by the Government of Lebanon and the United Nations, supported by international and national partners. Operational response under the LRP is led by the Ministry of Social Affairs on behalf of the Government of Lebanon as delegated by the Prime Minister. In line with their respective mandates, UNHCR, UNDP, and OCHA co-lead the LRP and the Inter-Sector Coordination Group. The plan sets out to respond to challenges arising from multiple crises facing Lebanon in a holistic manner through providing immediate assistance to and ensuring protection of vulnerable populations; supporting service provision through national systems; and supporting Lebanon’s economic, social and environmental stability. The LRP also serves as Lebanon’s country chapter of the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) to the Syria crisis.
Based on the needs identified by affected communities, the Government, and partners, the LRP presents a prioritized and evidence-based appeal of $2.99 billion in 2025 to fund partners’ coordinated interventions across eleven sectors. It addresses the needs of vulnerable people across populations, including Lebanese, displaced Syrians, Palestinian Refugees from Syria (PRS), Palestine Refugees in Lebanon (PRL), and migrants. It includes interventions targeting households internally displaced due to escalation of hostilities across population groups.
Despite progress and renewed commitment, speakers at the Steering Committee emphasized that the response still faces critical funding shortfalls. The LRP 2025 calls for $2.99 billion to respond to both sustained and emerging needs, yet funding remains uncertain. Members reiterated that while the needs are rising, available resources are shrinking—posing serious risks to the continuity of life-saving and stabilizing interventions. The Committee therefore urged the donor community to sustain and scale up support, and to enable predictable, flexible, and multi-year financing that matches the urgency and complexity of Lebanon’s overlapping crises.
“The bottom line is that we are seeking a serious level of funding to meet urgent needs. Business as usual is no longer an option,” said Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed. “We must move from short-term assistance to long-term investment in people and systems—starting now.”
