Lebanon - Coordination meeting minutes, 23 September 2026

Content

1. Logistics Services and Activities Updates

• The Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster (LTC) provided an update on its current activities, noting that services continue to operate under a business-as-usual modality, including coordination, information management, convoy operations, and temporary storage services for humanitarian partners. The Cluster informed partners that the Beirut warehouse storage service has been extended until the end of December.
• The Cluster noted that humanitarian convoys to southern Lebanon remain operational; however, access constraints continue to affect implementation. A convoy to Rmeish planned for the day of the meeting was cancelled following a negative response through the notification mechanism. The Cluster acknowledged that recurring rejections continue to create operational challenges and encouraged partners to share feedback on obstacles affecting their participation in convoy movements so that these concerns can be raised through the appropriate coordination channels.
• The Cluster highlighted a low participation of NGOs and INGOs in convoy operations. Partners were encouraged to discuss any concerns or operational constraints that may be limiting their engagement in convoy movements. The Cluster also reiterated that, on a case-by-case basis, organizations may explore the possibility of accompanying convoy movements for operational follow-up purposes. However, partners were reminded that convoy operations follow strict timelines, with limited time available on site once cargo has been delivered. The schedule for the upcoming convoys is available online and is shared with partners once new locations and dates are identified.
• Regarding the Jordan–Lebanon corridor, the Cluster reported that regional convoy operations continue, with approximately two convoys per month taking place, subject to operational and administrative clearances. The service remains available to partners wishing to move humanitarian cargo from Jordan into Lebanon, including cargo currently pre-positioned in Jordan. 

• For any common logistics services, the requests should be submitted through a Service Request Form (SRF) and coordinated directly with the LT Cluster focal points in line with the applicable SOPs. Access to services remains available to humanitarian organisations operating under the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP).

  2. UNIFIL Transition: Security, Access and Humanitarian Notification Arrangements

• WFP Security team provided an overview of the ongoing UNIFIL transition process, noting that the mission is expected to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon by January 2027. In preparation, several thematic workstreams are being discussed among UN agencies and partners, including security, access, humanitarian notifications, strategic communications, political engagement, civil-military coordination, and capacity-building.
• From a security perspective, the transition is being led by UNDSS, with work focusing on contingency planning, incident reporting, security coordination, liaison mechanisms, civil-military coordination, and telecommunications-related arrangements. Further updates on telecommunications aspects were presented in a meeting separately.
• Regarding humanitarian access and the Humanitarian Notification System (HNS), partners were informed that the transition process is already underway. Currently, notification procedures differ between the North Litani River (NLR) and South Litani River (SLR) areas, with UNIFIL playing a role in the SLR notification process. As part of the transition, OCHA will gradually assume responsibility for supporting both notification streams, ensuring continuity of the humanitarian notification mechanism following UNIFIL’s withdrawal.
• The transition process will be implemented progressively through regular coordination and planning arrangements, with OCHA, UNDSS, WFP, and other stakeholders working to ensure that humanitarian access mechanisms remain operational throughout the transition period.
• Partners were also briefed on the role of the Humanitarian Notification Operations Cell (HNOC), which brings together key actors to monitor notifications, track convoy movements, and follow up on access constraints and response trends. The mechanism continues to support engagement on recurring access challenges and notification issues affecting humanitarian operations in southern Lebanon. 

• Additional information and guidance on the transition process may become available following the upcoming UNCT meeting scheduled for 30 September. Partners were informed that in case of questions on the transition process they can reach out to Nancy Massaad, WFP Security Officer (Analyst, Access and HMI), nancy.massaad@wfp.org. 

  3. Emergency Telecommunications Update

• The LTC Telecoms team presented briefly the findings of a recent telecommunications assessment mission conducted in Lebanon over a three-week period. The assessment gathered inputs from 18 humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies and NGOs. The assessment identified connectivity challenges in southern Lebanon, as well as a strong dependency of telecommunications infrastructure on electricity and fuel availability, creating potential vulnerabilities during power disruptions. Findings also highlighted significant variations in the backup communications capacity available across organisations, as well as a need for stronger coordination, information sharing, and contingency planning related to telecommunications services.
• Partners were also briefed on the potential telecommunications implications of the UNIFIL transition. As humanitarian actors may gradually assume greater responsibility for communications, coordination mechanisms, and operational support arrangements in southern Lebanon, OCHA, UNDSS, WFP, and other stakeholders have initiated discussions on contingency planning and preparedness measures to ensure continuity of communications following the transition period.
• Based on the assessment findings, the LTC is undertaking several follow-up actions, including the development of a telecommunications gap tracker and partner capacity mapping, support to organisations in identifying backup communication options, engagement with national authorities on telecommunications licensing procedures, and preparedness planning to support the UNIFIL transition process.
• Partners were informed that dedicated ICT coordination meetings are being organised on a regular basis to facilitate technical discussions among ICT focal points. Organisations not yet represented in this forum were encouraged to share the contact details of their ICT colleagues with lebanon.ltclogs@wfp.org to support broader participation and coordination.

• In case of questions and for telecoms coordination, organisations can reach out to Dana Safa, Head of Tech WFP/LTC Telecoms Lead, at dana.safa@wfp.org. 

  4. Sustainable Procurement in the Humanitarian Sector

• Representatives from the HULO team provided an update on a pilot project on sustainable procurement in humanitarian operations, implemented in Lebanon over the past year and funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The initiative aims to explore how humanitarian procurement can better integrate sustainability considerations while continuing to meet operational, cost-efficiency, localization, and preparedness objectives.
• The project focused on a selected group of commonly procured humanitarian items and included supplier mapping, supplier surveys, and field visits to assess the availability of sustainable procurement options in Lebanon. The analysis is currently being finalized and includes environmental impact assessments, total cost of ownership evaluations, and comparisons between conventional and more sustainable procurement approaches.

• The HULO team informed partners that the final findings of the project will be shared through a series of workshops and webinars. A presentation will be delivered at the Green Procurement Coordination meeting, and a final workshop is planned in Beirut on 22 October, where the results and lessons learned from the pilot project will be presented to the humanitarian community. Further details and invitations will be shared through the established coordination channels.

  5. AOB

• WFP provided a brief overview of its On-Demand Services (ODS), which offer logistics and supply chain support to UN agencies, NGOs through WFP’s existing operational infrastructure and contractual arrangements. Available services include transportation and cargo movement, warehousing and storage, cargo handling, temperature-controlled logistics, fleet management, and procurement and supply chain support.
• Partners were informed that access to ODS requires the establishment of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between WFP and the requesting organization. Once the SLA is in place, organizations may request services directly from WFP, after which a cost estimate and implementation process are initiated. WFP encouraged partners to submit requests well in advance, as lead time is required for administrative processes, service provider arrangements, and operational planning.

• The LTC noted that ODS may serve as an additional logistics support mechanism for organizations requiring tailored transport and supply chain solutions, including in the context of ongoing discussions related to the UNIFIL transition and potential future access constraints. 

  The date of the next coordination meeting will be communicated through mailing list and dedicated WhatsApp group.

   

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