In 2019, Lebanon witnessed an increased rise in health and humanitarian needs. The ongoing political instability and insecurity, as well as the consequences of the protracted conflict in the neighbouring Syrian Arab Republic, have led to a further burdening of the health system in Lebanon. By the last quarter of 2019, Lebanon was facing an unprecedented economic and financial crisis, jeopardizing access to and availability of health services, and further impairing the coping capacities of already vulnerable Lebanese and refugees. Unemployment rates grew enormously, threatening social stability.
The year also witnessed an ongoing measles outbreak in the country and ended with the global threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China by December. Nevertheless, 2019 was also marked by important achievements in public health in Lebanon. The country sustained its polio-free status, access to primary health care for vulnerable populations was maintained, health system strengthening interventions were accelerated, and the early warning and alert system was fully automated and expanded.