Hayat’s Struggle to Protect Her Children Amid Displacement and Conflict in Lebanon
Hayat, a mother from the Southern Suburbs of Beirut, never imagined she would have to flee her home, but when the conflict escalated, she had no choice. The area she called home was heavily bombarded, and her family was in constant danger. "If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have left my home," she shared. Yet, when the shelling intensified, her children begged her to flee. Despite the fear and the unknown, Hayat made the difficult decision to leave, taking her 17-year-old daughter with her while her three sons stayed.
"The shelling was so intense that it threw me from one part of my house to another," she recalled, describing the terrifying moments before they left their home. The path to safety wasn’t easy. Hayat and her daughter had to travel through dangerous roads, unsure of where the next attack was going to be. The constant threat of warplanes and shelling sounds added to their anxiety.
At 4 a.m., after a particularly brutal round of bombings, Hayat and her daughter finally made their way to a school that had been turned into a collective shelter in Bir Hassan, in the suburbs of Beirut. It was a temporary solution, but it offered them a small sense of security compared to the chaos they had just escaped. Still, their lives were far from stable. The family’s way of life had been overturned. Before the conflict, Hayat and her family managed to meet their needs through work, but now one of her sons lost his job, while the other two, who are still employed, risk their safety each time they leave home.
"We were living okay before, but now everything is dangerous. The cost of living is higher, and many things that used to be small problems are now urgent needs," Hayat explained.
While in the shelter, Hayat and her daughter were supported by Action Against Hungerwith core relief items, food, water and hygiene kits. The help provided some relief, but it wasn’t enough to cover all their needs. "We are grateful for the help, but the food is never enough.” she said. Many families are struggling to meet basic needs, and some sacrifice everything they have to feed their children. "Children can’t bear hunger like adults can,"she added. Accessing medications is another major issue. In the shelter, some displaced persons are suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure, but access to healthcare is limited.
Still, Hayat remains hopeful. "What keeps us strong is our faith, our land, and our children," she said. Back then, unable to return to her home due to ongoing threats, she held on to the hope that one day they would be able to go back. Fortunately, that hope became a reality.
Despite the hardships, Hayat finds relief in the solidarity of the people around her. "Everyone here is helping each other," she said. "We are all equal in our suffering," Hayat emphasized, highlighting that compassion exists even in the darkest times.
The one thing Hayat misses most is the peace and safety she had before the conflict. "As long as we are displaced, our minds are constantly with our children, wondering where they are and how they’re doing," she said, referring to her sons who had to stay behind. Every time there’s bombing, her thoughts immediately go to them.
For Hayat, the future is uncertain, but she remains hopeful. "I hope God will ease our suffering so we can return to our homes. Money and houses can be replaced, but peace is found in your own home," she said. "Too many people have died, too many children. The international community should help stop the conflict and hold those responsible accountable."
In the face of overwhelming hardship, Hayat’s strength and love for her family remain her guiding force. Her story is a powerful reminder of the daily struggles faced by those displaced by conflict and the need for continued support from humanitarian organizations like Action Against Hunger, whose intervention in Hayat’s shelter was supported by the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF). Through initiatives like the Upscale multi-sectoral emergency response focusing on food security, basic assistance, WASH, nutrition and health support to vulnerable individuals in South and Nabatiyeh governorate, families like Hayat’s can receive the help they certainly need.
