In Lebanon's humanitarian landscape, rumours spread faster than facts, driving people to act first and verify later. This CDAC Network report, written by CDAC Expert Pool member Sarah Kilani, examines how harmful information circulates within Lebanon's aid system, affecting both service delivery and community decisions.
The report ‘Racing against rumours: Understanding harmful information in Lebanon's humanitarian system’, reveals a fragmented information environment where official channels are perceived as inaccessible or slow. On the otherhand, informal networks—WhatsApp groups, religious leaders, former NGO staff—fill the gaps left by institutional silence. Against a backdrop of reduced USAID funding and regional instability, communities face heightened uncertainty that fuels misinformation.
Key findings show that rumours fuel critical decisions about aid access, registration and returns based on unverified information. While communities have developed their own verification practices, these remain disconnected from formal structures. The report argues that timely, trusted communication should be treated as a core protection function, not an afterthought in humanitarian response.