Beirut has 114 designated shelters for displaced individuals, including public schools, private educational centers, and other facilities. These shelters are housing around 40,000 displaced people, mostly in crowded areas like Mazraa, Ras Beirut, and Bachoura. However, there is an unequal distribution of shelters across the city, leading to infrastructure strain in certain areas, causing traffic, overcrowding in hospitals, and shortages in basic services.
Most shelters in Beirut are now full, with some exceeding capacity. The few remaining available shelters are in distant northern regions, making access difficult. Many displaced individuals, especially Syrian refugees and foreign workers, are left without proper shelter, often sleeping in public spaces.
To address the growing displacement crisis, more shelters need to be opened, particularly public schools and government buildings in Beirut and nearby areas.
