Emergency Aid for Maria’s Family as 1 Million+ People Flee in Lebanon
Peace Winds is working with local partners in Lebanon to provide emergency supplies for evacuees forced to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. These include blankets, clothing for adults and children, and other emergency items.
More than 1 million people have been displaced from their homes in Lebanon as airstrikes and violence on the ground show no sign of letting up. “Behind these numbers are parents, grandparents, teachers, brothers, and sisters,” UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban, reminded the international community in a recent briefing.
Maria (pseudonym) is one of them, a wife, mother, and grandmother who was displaced from her home on the coast south of Beirut. She kindly shared her family’s story with Peace Winds’ partner staff who were delivering aid at the evacuation shelter where she is staying.
“The first night after evacuating, we had nowhere to go, so we huddled together on the beach,” Maria says. “We were filled with fear and anxiety, believing that tomorrow would be safer.”
New evacuees are struggling to find places to stay as the number of displaced people grows each day. Local governments are working to open new shelters, but only about 12% of people are able to get into them. Others rent shared housing if possible, or they are forced to live outdoors in tents.
Later, Maria and her family managed to get into a temporary shelter in Dekwaneh, a suburb of Beirut.
“The evacuation order was issued suddenly, so we decided to leave everything behind and flee immediately in order to survive. We left the house in such a hurry that we didn’t have time to pack, and all we could take with us was our identification, some important medications, and one blanket. We had no choice but to leave all our clothes and other personal belongings behind.”
Humanitarian workers are working tirelessly to get emergency supplies to people both in and outside of shelters, but the sheer volume of need is straining resources and funding. There are shortages of medication, food, water, hygiene items, and bedding in certain areas, especially newly-affected ones.
Medication is a particular concern for Maria.
“There are seven people in our family,” she says. “Our eldest son (29) has an intellectual disability; our second daughter (25) has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability and requires continuous medical care and medication; and our married daughter and her two sons are also living in the evacuation center.
“What I want most right now is safety and medication for my daughter’s chronic illness.”
Maria’s husband also lost his only source of income when they fled, adding to the uncertainty of what their lives will look like from now on.
“Fortunately, our home is still safe,” Maria says, “but it is near the Iranian embassy. There is a possibility of bombing, so we have no idea what the future holds.”
Her experience is a stark reminder of what many refugees and displaced people are facing right now. With support from your donations, Peace Winds will continue to help families in Lebanon like Maria’s.