The Netherlands to support reception facilities and water management in Lebanon

News item | 15-09-2026 | 17:02

The Netherlands will be making an additional €7 million available to support reception facilities for displaced persons and refugees in Lebanon. This was announced by Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma during his visit to the country. The money, which will be earmarked for the PROSPECTS programme run by UNHCR and UNICEF, will help fund facilities for Lebanese displaced persons and Syrian refugees. The government is also making €11 million available to support the Lebanese government's water management efforts over the next 4 years.

Reception facilities for displaced persons and refugees

The war between Israel and Hezbollah has destroyed parts of southern Lebanon and driven many Lebanese people to flee to other parts of the country. Many of them have subsequently become dependent on aid. Lebanon has also been taking in Syrian refugees for many years, numbering more than a million in total. The country has the highest number of refugees per head of population in the world, putting facilities under extreme pressure.

‘The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has caused severe disruption in a country that was already facing difficult circumstances,’ the minister said during his visit. 'The fragile humanitarian situation is affecting both the Lebanese people and the many refugees currently in the country. The Netherlands is a reliable partner and will continue to support Lebanon, for example in the form of help with reception facilities and protection.  The work of organisations like the Red Cross and the Dutch Relief Alliance is crucial to this.’ 

The Netherlands has been supporting reception facilities for Syrian refugees in Lebanon through the PROSPECTS programme since 2019 and a programme supporting voluntary return to Syria since early 2026. The Netherlands previously made €160 million available for PROSPECTS in Lebanon for the 2024-2027 period.   The government decided to make an additional €7 million available to support facilities for Lebanese displaced persons and Syrian refugees, and to provide them with access to education.

PROSPECTS is a Dutch-funded partnership that aims to protect refugees and improve their position in society. The programme is implemented by UNHCR, UNICEF, IFC, ILO and the World Bank in 8 different countries, including Lebanon.

Water management efforts

The government is also making €11 million available to support the Lebanese government in the area of water management over the next 4 years. The aim is to help strengthen government agencies in order to make Lebanon more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as extreme drought, water scarcity, and the risk of flooding.

In addition, some of the funding will go towards repairing infrastructure damaged in recent months in the war between Israel and Hezbollah. This new Strengthening Data-Driven Water Governance and Risk Preparedness in Lebanon programme will be implemented by UNICEF.