Forced to Flee

Lebanon's Displaced Families Endure War

The war on Lebanon has stretched on for over a year, forcing tens of thousands of families to flee their homes, just as they did in 2006. But this time, the displacement feels more painful, the suffering more profound, and the end of their misery seems even more distant.

For many, fleeing meant leaving behind everything-homes, belongings, livelihoods. The shelters they now find themselves in are not equipped to house so many for so long. With winter approaching, the conditions are becoming even more unbearable. These are the stories of those who escaped the bombs, only to face a new battle for survival.

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Mohamad Zayoun's Story

Mohamad Zayoun, a father of two from a border village, reflects on the harrowing experience of fleeing for safety:

"There's a big difference between 2006 and today. It's harder this time. The 2006 war was for less than a month, this one has been ongoing for a year now and doesn't look like it will stop soon. We ran with nothing, no cash, no medicine, not even a destination-just running for our lives."

Now in a shelter with his wife, daughters, and extended family, Mohamad's daily reality is far from safe or comfortable:

"There's no heating, no hot water… I haven't showered since we arrived. The quantity of mattresses and pillows in this shelter is ok, but we need more covers as it's getting colder by the day."

Despite these hardships, his biggest wish remains simple:

"Just let us go back home, and we won't ask for anything else."

Samia Ayach's Story

For Samia Ayach, the journey was even more challenging. Traveling with her husband in a wheelchair, six grandchildren, and a baby with epilepsy, the road to safety was long and perilous:

"We fled on Tuesday at 5:30 am with nothing, bombardment all around us from Nabatiyeh till we reached Saida. It took 12 hours to reach safety, packed nine inside a tiny car."

Like many, Samia left everything behind, including vital medication:

"We took nothing with us, only the papers and the clothes we were wearing. Shortly after, we heard that our home was destroyed, along with my beautiful garden-all gone."

Despite her losses, Samia clings to hope and a sense of home:

"Even if it's turned to dust, I'll sleep on the rubble-at least I'll be home. We just want to live in peace. Life is beautiful, but they won't let us live it in peace. The solution is a ceasefire now."

Anera's Response and the Growing Needs

Farah Maalouf, the communications manager at Anera in Lebanon, has witnessed firsthand the devastation facing displaced families as she visited shelters and distributed aid:

"The sense of despair is overwhelming. People, shattered by the crisis, spoke of how this time felt even harder than the 2006 war, their eyes filled with hopelessness. My heart ached for them, but I also felt immense pride to be part of Anera's efforts, helping to restore hope amidst those dark times."

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Despite Anera's efforts to provide relief, the needs remain staggering:

"Mattresses, blankets, hot meals, water tanks, heating systems, winter clothes, first aid kits-these are just some of the essentials displaced families need to survive the harsh conditions they are facing daily."

Call to Help

As winter approaches, the situation for displaced families in southern Lebanon is only worsening. The shelters they now call home are ill-equipped to meet the needs of so many, especially as temperatures begin to drop. Anera is on the ground, distributing vital supplies, but the need is far greater than the resources available.

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We urge donors, governments, and all those with influence to support our efforts to respond to the vast needs in Lebanon. The conflict is escalating rapidly, and humanitarians on the ground need your help to deliver urgent, life-saving aid. Donate now and join our call for a ceasefire.

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