Minister Announces Return of 400,000 Displaced Persons to Their Areas

Hanin Al-Sayed, the Minister of Social Affairs, stated that data indicates nearly 400,000 people, equivalent to 40 percent of displaced persons, have returned to their original areas. Additionally, the number of displaced individuals in shelter centers has dropped to 13,000 from 37,000, meaning 63 percent have left these centers.

The minister confirmed that some shelter centers will remain operational to accommodate displaced persons who are currently unable to return to their homes. She noted that the total number of shelter centers has decreased from 692 at the peak to 479 currently, with 213 centers having closed. In Beirut specifically, the number of centers declined from 150 to 100.

Minister Al-Sayed explained that the number of shelter centers has decreased across all governorates except Nabatieh, where additional centers were opened to serve displaced individuals wishing to stay near their villages.

She emphasized the continuation of the emergency cash assistance program and the distribution of in-kind aid to families living outside the shelter centers.