In the Jnah area of Beirut, a former hospital that closed its doors more than a decade ago has been transformed into a shelter for families who were forced to leave their homes due to weeks of escalating conflict in Lebanon.
Where there was once medical care and recovery, the building now shelters people who have lost everything, filling its halls with stories of struggle and survival.
Among the shelter’s residents is Ahmed, a fourteen-year-old boy whose life has been turned upside down by the conflict. After being forced to move three times, Ahmed’s family finally arrived at this shelter, having escaped their suburban Beirut home one night when bombs shattered the neighborhood’s quiet.
“That night, we just ran,” he recalled. They first took shelter on a beach until morning, then moved to Tripoli, 70 km north of Beirut, before eventually moving back to Beirut.
Now, he continues his education remotely with lessons sent by email, though it’s not the same as being in school with friends.
“I miss my friends,” he shared quietly. Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude for the support his family has received from the Lebanese Red Cross, which has provided food, mattresses, and medical services.
An IFRC team, led by Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain and Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Hosam Elsharkawi, recently visited the shelter with members of the Lebanese Red Cross. They met with people who have been displaced, listened to their experiences, and showed support during this difficult time.
Photo: Lebanese Red Cross
Another resident, Zahraa, was studying educational management and planning a career in teaching. She fled her home in the early hours of the morning when bombings made it unsafe to stay. Though her career is on hold, she is thankful for the shelter and the small comforts it offers, such as private bathrooms in each room.
“We’re lucky to have found this shelter. It used to be a hospital, so every room has a bathroom, which makes things a bit easier,” Zahraa said, acknowledging the challenges while remaining hopeful for a more stable future.
Kamal, another resident, has suffered an especially heavy loss—he has not only lost his home and livelihood but also four family members to the conflict. After leaving Nabatieh, South Lebanon, his family initially sought refuge in Ouzai, another Beirut suburb, but soon had to leave there as well. Now at the shelter, he’s struggling to rebuild his life from the ground up.
Being forced to flee their homes multiple times was a common experience among residents of this shelter. And while many share a deep desire to return home, that hope feels distant. The areas they left behind are still dangerous, and some people don’t even have homes to return to anymore. Still, the displaced families express appreciation for the services provided by the Lebanese Red Cross.
A volunteer with the Lebanese Red Cross hands out relief supplies provided in part thanks to an emergency appeal from the IFRC.
Photo: Lebanese Red Cross
Reem, a volunteer with the Lebanese Red Cross from South Lebanon, has been helping her community for years. She was among those who built the Lebanese Red Cross center in the city of Nabatieh. Forced to leave her own home, she now finds herself in the role of both volunteer and displaced resident.
“It’s incredibly hard to leave, but we have no choice,” she said as her eyes filled with tears.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Reem is determined to keep wearing the red vest and continue supporting people in need..
The support that Reem and other volunteers are providing is being backed up by a global emergency appeal, launched by the IFRC in November, that aims to address the urgent needs of 600,000 people.
With the recent increase in airstrikes and attacks, the conflict has resulted in over 3,500 deaths and 15,000 injuries as of 28 October 2024. Through the emergency appeal, the IFRC will support the Lebanese Red Cross providing healthcare, food and shelter, as well as support with water, sanitation and hygiene. This appeal will also help scale up the search and rescue capacity of the Lebanese Red Cross.