Website Syria. Thousands Of People Fleeing Israeli Airstrikes Arrive From Lebanon
© UNHCR/Hameed Maarouf

Middle East conflict

Terrified families fleeing their homes urgently need your help.

The Middle East conflict is escalating rapidly, killing thousands of people and forcing families to escape with little warning. Many have nowhere safe to go. Donate now to help protect families caught in this growing crisis.

Attacks, airstrikes and evacuation orders are driving mass displacement in countries including Iran and Lebanon. 

Roads are jam-packed with evacuating families. Shelters are filling up quickly. And attacks continue to claim lives and shatter communities. 

In Iran: Homes, medical facilities and schools under attack across cities nationwide. Millions of people are displaced and humanitarian needs are rising fast.

In Lebanon: Airstrikes have killed hundreds of civilians and forced more than one million people to flee their homes. Families are rushing to emergency shelters – some on foot – while others are sleeping on the road or in their cars.  

In Syria: The number of people crossing the border into Syria from Lebanon fleeing conflict continues to rise.

In Afghanistan: Active conflict with Pakistan along the border is forcing thousands of people to flee. Vulnerable families face heightened risks and uncertainty.

UNHCR’s dedicated teams are on the ground, delivering aid to families in need. But more help is urgently needed – please donate now.

“This is a moment of grave peril. Across the region, we’re seeing a massive impact on civilians, hundreds of thousands displaced, needs rising very, very fast."

UN Humanitarian Chief, Tom Fletcher.

Lebanon_Beirut-Airstrike-March_2026
© Ximena Borrazas

Your donation can help save lives across the Middle East

Across the region, millions of people have now been forced from their homes.

The situation is dire. Many affected countries already host refugees and internally displaced people. The violence is placing these communities under immense pressure and forcing some families to flee for the second or third time, desperately seeking safety and support.

Thanks to its established presence in the region, including a longstanding operation in Iran, UNHCR is playing a leading role in the crisis response.

Dedicated teams are providing cash assistance to families in urgent need, and distributing emergency supplies such as tents, blankets, sleeping mats and kitchen sets.

UNHCR is also repairing overcrowded shelters and assisting new arrivals at border crossings with emergency aid and transport.

Your urgent donation can help rush more life-saving aid to families fleeing for their lives.

Your donation in action

UNHCR is on the ground in the Middle East, delivering aid wherever possible. With your help, we can provide emergency shelter, essential relief items and cash assistance to people fleeing conflict. 

Essential Items

Your gift can provide relief items like blankets, mattresses and kitchen sets for families who've lost everything.

Shelter

Your gift can provide disaster kits with sleeping mats, tarpaulins and aqua tabs.

Cash Assistance

Your gift can provide counselling for traumatised families.

About the Middle East Emergency

Emergency Action Alliance And Australia for UNHCR Joint Logo

Australia for UNHCR is proud to be a founding member of the Emergency Action Alliance. The Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) is a simple and effective way for Australian donors to help in an international humanitarian emergency. Find out more about the Emergency Action Alliance.

Page last updated: 31 March 2026
This is an active emergency. Information on this page will be updated as the situation evolves.