© UNHCR/Hameed Maarouf
Middle East
Middle East conflict
Terrified families fleeing their homes urgently need your help.
Middle East
Terrified families fleeing their homes urgently need your help.
The Middle East conflict is escalating rapidly, killing thousands of people and forcing families to escape with little warning. Many have nowhere safe to go. Donate now to help protect families caught in this growing crisis.
Attacks, airstrikes and evacuation orders are driving mass displacement in countries including Iran and Lebanon.
Roads are jam-packed with evacuating families. Shelters are filling up quickly. And attacks continue to claim lives and shatter communities.
In Iran: The situation is rapidly escalating, with homes, medical facilities and schools under attack across cities nationwide. Millions of people are temporarily displaced, and humanitarian needs are rising fast.
In Lebanon: Airstrikes have killed hundreds of civilians and forced more than one million people to flee their homes. Families are rushing to emergency shelters – some on foot – while others are sleeping on the road or in their cars. Many have very few possessions and no idea what the future holds.
In Syria: The number of people crossing the borders into Syria from Lebanon to flee conflict continues to rise.
In Afghanistan: Active conflict with Pakistan along the border is forcing thousands of people to flee. UNHCR is monitoring movements closely and preparing for increases in border crossings, as vulnerable families face heightened risks and uncertainty.
UNHCR’s dedicated teams are on the ground right now, delivering aid to families in need. But more help is urgently needed.
Please donate now to help keep aid supplies stocked and teams ready to respond.
UN Humanitarian Chief, Tom Fletcher.
Across the region, millions of people have now been forced from their homes.
UNHCR staff are mobilising from Iran and Afghanistan to Lebanon and Syria to support people forced to flee.
Many affected countries host millions of refugees and internally displaced people who are already highly vulnerable.
Thanks to its established presence in the region — including a long-standing operation in Iran — UNHCR is playing a leading role in the crisis, with emergency supplies being rapidly deployed.
Supplies include family tents, blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, buckets, jerry cans and solar lamps. Teams are actively assisting at shelters and border crossings, providing aid and protection.
Your urgent donation can help rush more life-saving aid to families fleeing for their lives.
UNHCR is on the ground in the Middle East, delivering aid wherever possible. With your help, we can provide emergency shelter, essential relief items and cash assistance to people fleeing conflict.
Your gift can provide essential items like mattresses, solar lamps, blankets and kitchenware.
Your gift can provide temporary shelter for refugees forced to flee their homes.
Your gift can provide vulnerable families with cash to buy food, medicine and other essentials.
The rapid escalation of conflict across the Middle East is driving widespread displacement and heightening protection risks for civilians. Millions of people have already been forced from their homes, many in countries that were already hosting large refugee populations. UNHCR is responding across the region to protect displaced families and deliver lifesaving assistance, while preparing for further population movements.
Millions of people are already displaced inside Iran and Lebanon, while border crossings are increasing into Syria.
At the same time, ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan is putting the lives of vulnerable Afghans at risk.
Terrified families fleeing this escalating conflict urgently need your help.
Escalating violence, airstrikes and insecurity are forcing families to flee in search of safety. Homes, schools and medical facilities are being damaged or destroyed, leaving civilians with no choice but to escape.
UNHCR is responding now – and will stay and deliver across the region.
Dedicated teams are providing life-saving assistance to refugee and displaced families in multiple countries, wherever possible. This includes shelter, emergency relief items and cash assistance.
But as violence continues, needs will increase quickly. Your urgent support can deliver more life-saving aid - please donate now.
You can donate quickly and easily here.
Your donation can provide emergency aid for vulnerable families. Your gift means:
• A safe place to sleep
• Cash assistance to buy food and medicine
• Protection, counselling and other essential services including healthcare and education.
Please donate now. Your help can protect innocent lives and restore hope.
Your donation will go towards UNHCR’s regional response to help people affected by the conflict. This includes Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Türkiye.
The best way to donate is online here - it's quick, easy, and will make a difference to families caught in the crossfire of this conflict.
Your gift will support UNHCR's emergency response across the region, providing safe shelter, protection and psychological support.
Please don't wait – innocent lives are at stake. Donate now.
Australia for UNHCR is proud to be a founding member of the Emergency Action Alliance. The Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) is a simple and effective way for Australian donors to help in an international humanitarian emergency. Find out more about the Emergency Action Alliance.
Page last updated: 19 March 2026
This is an active emergency. Information on this page will be updated as the situation evolves.
The majority of funds raised by Australia for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.
