Responding to the Escalating War in Lebanon
Mar 5, 2026
Samar El-Yassir is Anera’s country director for Lebanon In the first hours of the latest escalation of war in Lebanon over the past weekend, people began fleeing as evacuation orders took effect. Since then, those orders have continued every day. The Israeli army called for residents to leave dozens of villages in the south and…
Read MorePlanting the Seeds of Hope: How Rooftop Gardens Are Growing More Than Food
Jun 9, 2025
For over five decades, Anera has supported families across Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan not just in moments of crisis, but in building lasting stability. From rooftop gardens to shared harvests, communities are finding ways to grow nourishment, dignity and opportunity — one seed at a time.
Read MoreLiving Through and Responding to Lebanon’s Worst Crisis Yet
Oct 11, 2024
I and the whole Anera team in Lebanon have been navigating the horrors unfolding in our country firsthand. The explosions, destruction, displacement and, now the troop incursions have created an apocalyptic situation. Lebanon has seen countless crises, but this is the first time I’ve witnessed so many people homeless, living on the streets. This concept…
Read MoreWinter Resilience: Navigating Challenges in Lebanon
Jan 6, 2024
Samar El-Yassir, Lebanon Country Director, details our winterization initiatives, supported by donations, which empower youth with crucial skills. These efforts provide warm clothing, bedding, and nourishing meals to individuals facing displacement amid the challenges of economic collapse, rising violence, and unprecedented adversities.
Read MoreBracing for What’s Coming in Lebanon
Oct 25, 2023
A Nation on the Edge The war in Gaza has cast a heavy shadow over our hearts here in Lebanon. We find ourselves torn between the profound sorrow and anger we feel for our brothers and sisters in Palestine and the growing concern for Lebanon, a nation seemingly poised on the brink of war as…
Read MoreBuilding Resilient Communities: The Nexus of Development and Relief
Apr 3, 2023
In today’s world, the nexus of development and relief has become a critical area of focus. In recognizing that humanitarian response and long-term development efforts are interconnected, it becomes apparent that a coordinated approach is necessary to effectively address the needs of vulnerable populations. Our partner, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian…
Read MoreProviding Tools and Training for Youth in Lebanon – Anera & UNICEF
Oct 20, 2022
UNICEF and Anera’s collective efforts over the years have pushed back against the harsh realities in Lebanon for youth with job and life skills training.
Read MoreUpdate from Lebanon
Sep 13, 2022
When asked to give an update about Lebanon, what can I say? We have a dichotomous society. There are places where the beaches are full, restaurants are booked, and people are living seemingly normal lives. But the fact is for the majority of people in Lebanon, the situation is only getting worse. Perhaps the worst…
Read MoreA Scary Time in Lebanon
Oct 15, 2021
Yesterday was a scary day in Beirut. Protests and gunfire went on for many hours. Many of the bullets were flying very near Anera’s office. Six people died and more than 30 were injured. Thankfully, our staff was able to evacuate the office and get home safely. I am really concerned about the safety of…
Read MoreOne Year Ago, Beirut Exploded. Now the Situation is Worse.
Aug 4, 2021
It was midnight and I was driving my husband to the hospital for a medical emergency. I travelled through a city cloaked in darkness. We hadn’t had electricity in Beirut for days. The street lights were off and the roads were empty in a place that once vibrated with life 24/7. My eyes filled up…
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