Lebanese diaspora is key to rebuilding the country's health sector, IOM official says

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The Lebanese diaspora will be a cornerstone of the reconstruction of the country's healthcare system, shattered by the war with Israel that has impacted 66 per cent of hospitals and 36 per cent of primary healthcare centres, an official from the International Organisation for Migration has told The National.

Vast areas in south Lebanon as well as in Beirut's suburbs are struggling without functioning medical facilities, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in a country in economic collapse.

“The Lebanese diaspora, with its skills, resources, and commitment, is pivotal in addressing the massive gaps left by the destruction,” Ugochi Daniels, deputy director general of the IOM, told The National.

“Through telemedicine initiatives and direct engagement, diaspora doctors and health professionals can play a transformative role in not only rebuilding infrastructure but also restoring critical healthcare services,” she said.

A ceasefire deal on November 27 ended the 13-month conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. But the intense fighting which erupted in September after a year of cross-border firing, left a trail of destruction across Lebanon.

Israel's onslaught throughout Lebanon has killed at least 3,961 people and displaced more than 1.3 million – the vast majority in the past two months, according to UNHCR and Lebanese government estimates. According to a World Bank report, damage to the healthcare sector alone amounts to $74 million.

Ms Daniels said the IOM is co-ordinating with the government and diaspora organisations to channel funding from Lebanese professionals abroad to rebuild and modernise the healthcare infrastructure. “Diaspora engagement is a cornerstone of IOM’s strategy,” she said. “We have seen the transformative impact of engaging skilled diaspora communities in other countries.”

Healthcare system in crisis

The conflict has left 31 hospitals and 26 primary healthcare centres damaged, primarily across South and Nabatiyeh governorates and in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Eight hospitals are non-functional and have closed, six hospitals have infrastructure damage, and seven hospitals are partially operating, the IOM says. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, 163 heath workers have been killed and 272 injured. Additionally, there have been 140 attacks on healthcare services and 90 attacks hitting emergency health transportation.

Even before the war, Lebanon’s healthcare system was on the brink of collapse, with the decline in real GDP since 2019 at more than 38 per cent, according to the World Bank. The local currency has lost more than 90 per cent of its value, and more than 70 per cent of the population is below the poverty line. The recent devastation has compounded these challenges, making international and diaspora-led support critical for recovery.

“The destruction has been massive, but so is the potential for recovery if we combine resources and expertise effectively,” Ms Daniels said. She added that rebuilding Lebanon’s healthcare sector is not just a local or regional priority, “it is a global one”.

The IOM, which has been operating in Lebanon since 2006, launched an appeal in October for $32.5 million to meet Lebanon’s urgent needs to December, covering essential relief items, health care, and support for shelters. However, funding remains a major challenge, the official said, with broader UN appeals for the region often falling short of targets.

The organisation has called on the international community to step up its contributions and urged donor governments to consider the long-term impact of rebuilding Lebanon’s healthcare system. It also provided transport for more than 4,000 people to access health services during the conflict, as well as delivering medical supplies for cholera preparedness, and supporting Ministry of Health-run clinics.

Ms Daniels said the IOM has partnered with the ministry to bolster healthcare capacity. This includes obtaining essential medical supplies, establishing telehealth systems and covering hospital costs for vulnerable communities, including migrants and displaced people.

While addressing the humanitarian challenges, Ms Daniels said the IOM is also spearheading efforts to rebuild health facilities and strengthen resilience. “Beyond the humanitarian response, our focus is on fostering resilience. This includes psychosocial support, vocational training and small-scale enterprise development, which are essential for social cohesion and community stability.”

Rebuilding must go hand in hand with addressing Lebanon’s broader socio-economic challenges, she said. “This is all the more relevant to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This offers pathways for labour and family reunification and finding durable solutions for the refugees while reducing the burden on Lebanon,” she added.

According to Lebanese authorities, the country hosts around two million Syrians, while more than 800,000 are registered with the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands of refugees returned home during the height of the conflict in Lebanon as well as since the fall of the Assad regime.

“We have seen it in other countries. If we invest in a small-scale enterprise, over time what we see is that the enterprise grows and they are able to employ more people in the community who can in turn build livelihoods,” said Ms Daniels.

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