At the beginning of February 2026, the city of Tripoli (Lebanon) experienced the collapse of several residential buildings, resulting in 16 casualties and revealing a much broader structural risk across the city center. In the weeks that followed, more than 800 buildings were identified as being at risk of collapse, over 39 buildings were evacuated, and more than 10,000 families were affected or exposed to risk, particularly in vulnerable neighbourhoods such as Bab al-Tabbaneh and Qobbeh.

Despite reacting in a context marked by economic crisis and ongoing war, the Municipality of Tripoli has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for rapid response, positioning itself as a strong example of local resilience under pressure. In less than two months, the municipality has activated a coordinated emergency mechanism, mobilising key actors including the Order of Engineers and Architects, Civil Defence, and the Lebanese Red Cross, among others. This comprehensive operational system, quickly put in place, covers the full response chain: from citizen reporting through a 24/7 hotline, to the quick structural assessments and risk classification of buildings, evacuation decisions, and humanitarian assistance. This has enabled the local administration to prioritise urgent cases and act fast to protect the most affected ones, despite the complex situation in the country with IDPs.

To date, hundreds of buildings have already been assessed, evacuated, and identified as requiring rehabilitation. A key component of this rapid response has been the development of tools to strengthen coordination and transparency. The municipality has introduced a real-time response tracking system, allowing continuous monitoring of reported cases, interventions and progress across the city. In parallel, the municipality has launched the Tripoli Emergency Fund, a platform has that allows the mobilisation of resources while reporting real time information, providing visibility on how funds are allocated and interventions progress, helping to build trust among citizens and international stakeholders.