The mass movement began after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting sustained Israeli air attacks and a ground offensive. Villages across southern and eastern Lebanon, along with Beirut’s southern suburbs, have been largely emptied, pushing civilians into the capital in numbers equivalent to roughly one-fifth of the country’s population, according to government estimates.

Beirut’s infrastructure has come under severe strain as displaced families crowd into available spaces, including schools converted into shelters, mosques, storefronts and public parks. A sprawling tent settlement has emerged along the city’s waterfront, while others have set up makeshift shelters along the coastal corniche and near Horsh Beirut park.

Residents described deteriorating living conditions, with many lacking access to basic sanitation, electricity and adequate shelter. Some families have resorted to sleeping in vehicles or under tarpaulins, while heavy rains have flooded encampments, exacerbating health risks.

The United Nations refugee agency said the scale and speed of the displacement are without precedent in Lebanon’s recent history. Spokesperson Dalal Harb noted that the figure of one million displaced likely understates the true number, as many have not formally registered with authorities.

Government efforts to accommodate those fleeing have included converting hundreds of public buildings into shelters and establishing temporary facilities in large venues such as sports stadiums. Aid groups have also repurposed damaged infrastructure, including a slaughterhouse affected by the 2020 Beirut port explosion, to house displaced populations.

Despite these measures, capacity remains insufficient, forcing large numbers to remain in informal settlements. Many displaced families have opted to stay in Beirut rather than relocate to northern areas where space may be more available, citing concerns over losing proximity to their homes and communities.

Urban specialists warn that the visible scale of displacement is reshaping the city’s social and physical landscape, creating new pressures on public services and heightening tensions among residents.

The influx has also revived concerns over Lebanon’s fragile sectarian balance, with the displacement of large numbers of Shiite residents from southern regions and Beirut’s suburbs raising fears of demographic shifts in the capital.

Humanitarian agencies say needs are escalating rapidly as the conflict shows no sign of abating. Israeli forces have signaled the possibility of advancing further into Lebanese territory, raising the prospect of additional displacement.

Aid officials warned that conditions for those already displaced could deteriorate further without sustained assistance and a de-escalation in hostilities.

The war, which escalated on March 2, has led to the closure of more than 350 public schools, while others in areas affected by Israeli bombardment remain shut, leaving students to rely on improvised and often inadequate remote learning arrangements.

In Beirut, displaced families are living inside school buildings where classrooms have been partitioned into makeshift living spaces. Students like 17-year-old Ahmad Melhem are attempting to continue their education using recorded lessons on shared devices, often without reliable internet access.

Melhem, displaced from the capital’s southern suburbs, said he returned home briefly to retrieve schoolbooks despite the risks. “We’re trying with everything we have to continue our education,” he said, adding that he hopes to pursue engineering studies.

Many schools have resumed limited online teaching, but shortened schedules and reduced subject offerings have affected the quality of education. Students say they struggle to concentrate in crowded shelters or noisy shared spaces.

Access to education has been further constrained by limited connectivity and resources. In some shelters, internet access is only available outdoors, forcing students to study in unsuitable environments or rely on recorded lessons.

According to UNICEF, disparities in digital access between regions and households have created a “big digital divide,” affecting both students and teachers. Some families share a single mobile device among several children, while others lack even basic supplies.

UNICEF has introduced an online platform with recorded lessons and a phone-based system to help students access materials without internet, but officials warn these measures cannot fully replace in-person schooling.

The conflict has killed more than 1,100 people in Lebanon, including 122 children, and displaced over one million, according to authorities. Education experts warn that prolonged disruption increases the risk of permanent dropouts, particularly among girls and adolescents vulnerable to early marriage.

The World Bank estimated in a 2023 report that each day of public school closure costs Lebanon’s economy around $3 million, highlighting the broader impact of the crisis.

Children in southern Lebanon have faced repeated disruptions since hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel reignited in October 2023, compounding existing challenges in the country’s education system.

At temporary shelters, families continue to prioritize schooling despite the conditions. “Education is the only thing left for my children,” said one displaced parent, reflecting widespread concern over a lost generation.