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The escalation of hostilities in Lebanon has forced more than one million people to flee their homes in search of safety. Families have been forced to leave with only what they could carry, often without knowing when — or if — they will be able to return.
For many, displacement has become a repeated cycle. Families move from one temporary shelter to another, struggling to find safety, stability, and hope amid ongoing conflict.
Despite recent ceasefire announcements, many civilians remain unable to return home due to continuing insecurity, military operations, and widespread destruction. Southern Lebanon continues to experience airstrikes, ground operations, and displacement orders that have left entire communities uprooted.
The human cost continues to rise. Thousands of people have been killed and injured, while hospitals, water infrastructure, homes, fuel stations, bridges, and essential services have been severely damaged or destroyed.
Yet behind every statistic is a family, a child, a parent, and a community trying to survive.
Across Lebanon, particularly in the south, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, daily life is marked by instability and uncertainty.
Displacement orders are issued frequently, forcing families to leave homes, shelters, and communities at short notice. Many initially sought refuge in collective shelters, rented accommodation, or with relatives, only to be displaced again as the conflict intensified.
Ahmad, who was displaced from southern Lebanon with his wife and children, describes the experience:
“For three days, we were on the road, in cars, outside, moving between places.”
Like many others, Ahmad’s family spent days searching for available shelter space before finding temporary accommodation.
Repeated displacement has made it increasingly difficult for families to maintain employment, secure stable housing, support their children, and plan for the future. The uncertainty itself has become a source of constant anxiety and emotional exhaustion.
Families living in collective shelters often face overcrowding, limited privacy, and inadequate sanitation facilities.
Many shelters are former schools or public buildings where multiple families share classrooms and sleeping spaces. Mattresses are spread across floors while personal belongings are stacked around desks and walls.
One displaced mother explained:
“We are 28 people in one room.”
Another mother shared that her daughters are unable to remove their hijabs due to the lack of privacy.
Many shelters also struggle to provide adequate cooking facilities, forcing families to rely on ready-to-eat food distributions rather than preparing nutritious meals.
Children are increasingly vulnerable to illness as overcrowding, cold temperatures, and poor ventilation contribute to respiratory infections and other health concerns.
Beyond physical hardship, the emotional impact of displacement is severe.
Families speak of stress, frustration, fear, and hopelessness as they spend months living in temporary conditions with little certainty about the future.
Nour, displaced with her family, described life inside a shelter:
“Everyone is on edge. There’s not a day when there’s no argument or fight. We’re stuck in a place that’s not our home.”
Mental health concerns continue to rise as families struggle with trauma, loss, disrupted routines, and prolonged uncertainty.
Women, children, older people, and people living with disabilities face additional challenges while displaced.
Limited privacy, inadequate sanitation facilities, and overcrowded conditions increase protection risks and make daily life more difficult.
Women and girls often struggle to manage menstrual hygiene safely and privately. Many shelters are not fully accessible for people with disabilities, forcing some individuals to remain in dangerous areas rather than relocate.
Reports from humanitarian organisations indicate a significant increase in gender-based violence referrals as displacement continues.
Protecting vulnerable individuals remains a critical priority within the humanitarian response.
Hundreds of thousands of children have had their education disrupted as schools have been converted into emergency shelters.
Although some learning continues online, many families lack reliable internet access, devices, or quiet spaces where children can study.
Tala, a 10-year-old girl displaced from southern Lebanon, expressed a longing shared by many children:
“I really miss school. I want to see my teachers and be with my friends, and study and play again.”
Children have lost routines, friendships, and the sense of security that schools provide.
Parents report increasing signs of distress among children, including anxiety, behavioural changes, sleep difficulties, and emotional trauma.
Pregnant women and new mothers face particular challenges in overcrowded shelter environments.
Limited privacy, inadequate sanitation facilities, and disrupted healthcare access create significant physical and emotional stress.
One woman, displaced while eight months pregnant, shared her concerns:
“I’m finding it very difficult, wondering how I’m going to give birth in the school.”
Many mothers have been separated from support networks and healthcare providers at a time when they need them most.
Humanitarian organisations continue to provide maternal healthcare support, but growing needs place additional strain on already stretched services.
Lebanon’s healthcare system was already facing significant challenges before the current escalation.
The influx of displaced families has placed additional pressure on hospitals, clinics, and mobile health services.
Repeated attacks on healthcare facilities have damaged infrastructure and disrupted essential medical services. Patients requiring ongoing treatment for chronic illnesses often struggle to access medication and specialist care.
Healthcare workers themselves are frequently displaced and operating under dangerous conditions while continuing to support affected communities.
For many families, displacement has meant losing not only their homes but also their source of income.
Farmers have been unable to access agricultural land due to insecurity, military activity, and widespread destruction. Small businesses have closed, daily wage earners have lost employment, and local markets have been severely disrupted.
Food prices and fuel costs continue to rise, placing additional pressure on families already struggling to survive.
Many households now depend entirely on humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and transportation.
Displaced families consistently express a simple desire: safety, dignity, and the ability to return home.
Nour, a mother displaced to a shelter, said:
“Help isn’t just food and somewhere to sleep. We want to be able to live.”
Another mother, Racha, explained:
“We just want peace and the best for our children.”
Mariam, displaced from southern Lebanon, added:
“We only ask for one thing, to return to our homes and our lives.”
Humanitarian organisations operating in Lebanon are calling for:
The crisis in Lebanon is about far more than displacement figures and damaged infrastructure. It is about families who have lost homes, livelihoods, routines, and a sense of security.
As displacement continues and needs grow, millions of people remain caught in a cycle of uncertainty.
Their message is clear:
They do not simply want to survive. They want the opportunity to return home, rebuild their lives, and live in peace.