[Lebanon]Lebanon: Over 1.2 Million People Displaced — Voices of Families Who Fled, Holding onto Hope for the Future Amid a Collapsing Daily Life
Since March 3, 2026, intense Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon have left more than 1,000 people dead and 2,584 injured. UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban, stated that due to the recent escalation, “one classroom of children every day” is dying or being injured. Repeated evacuation orders have forced residents to move repeatedly, leaving more than 1.2 million people displaced.
“Believing in a safe tomorrow, we huddled together on the seashore at night, overcome by fear and anxiety.”
These are the words of Maria (pseudonym), who is currently living with her family in a shelter in Dekwaneh, Beirut, having evacuated from her home in Ouzai, a coastal town in the southern suburbs of Beirut. When staff from a local organization visited the shelter, she shared with them the tense days leading up to her arrival there and the harrowing experiences she endured at the time.
Maria (pseudonym) and her family, living in a shelter in Dekwaneh
“I live with my 60-year-old husband, who has severe visual impairments. He is completely blind in one eye and has almost no vision in the other. Before we evacuated, he worked in water distribution to support our family. However, when the evacuation order was suddenly issued, we were forced to flee immediately to save their lives. We left home in such a hurry that we did not have time to pack; all we could take with us were our identification cards, some essential medication, and a single blanket. We had no choice but to leave behind all our clothes and other personal belongings. Due to the evacuation, my husband also lost his sole source of income. We are a family of seven; our eldest son (29) has an intellectual disability. Our second daughter (25) has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, requiring continuous medical care and medication. The family also has a married daughter and two other sons who are in good health.
On the first night after we evacuated, we had nowhere to go. Believing in a safe tomorrow, we huddled together on the beach at night, overcome with fear and anxiety. After that, we were able to find temporary shelter at an evacuation center in Dekwaneh. Fortunately, our original home is still standing. However, since it is located near the Iranian Embassy, there is a risk of bombing, and we have absolutely no idea what the future holds.”
Maria (pseudonym) says, “What I want most right now is safety and medicine for my daughter’s chronic condition.”
This family’s experience reflects the reality faced by many displaced people. Peace Winds will continue to provide support to this family and to every individual facing hardship. We sincerely appreciate your generous support.
※Our relief efforts for displaced people in Lebanon in response to the current crisis in the Middle East are made possible by your donations.