A Framework For Conflict-Related Disaster Debris Management: The Case of Lebanon

Abstract

Large-scale disasters generate substantial volumes of debris that can overwhelm waste management systems and pose significant environmental and public health risks. In Lebanon, the absence of a dedicated framework for managing conflict-related disaster debris presents major challenges for institutional coordinated response and post-conflict recovery. This study develops a framework for conflict-related disaster debris management in Lebanon by integrating international benchmarking, national policy analysis, and spatial decision-support tools. The research examines global experiences in both natural disaster and post-conflict contexts, reviews Lebanon’s legal and institutional landscape, and develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide implementation. It further applies Geographic Information Systems (GIS) combined with Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to identify suitable locations for Temporary Storage Sites (TSS), a critical component in the conflict-related debris management value chain that enables the safe sorting, temporary containment, and efficient routing of materials for recycling, recovery, or disposal. The spatial analysis incorporates environmental, geological, safety, and logistical criteria to generate suitability maps identifying potential zones for debris storage and processing, supporting preparedness planning that has historically been limited in Lebanon. The results highlight governance and operational gaps, including the absence of contingency planning mechanisms and pre-designated debris management sites. Based on these findings, the report proposes legal and management measures for emergency preparedness and response (contingency), as well as for step-by-step implementation and management (operational), aimed at strengthening national preparedness, improving institutional coordination, and supporting environmentally responsible debris recovery within a circular economy approach.