Living Through and Responding to Lebanon’s Worst Crisis Yet

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 of homelessness, something more commonly seen in Europe or the US, is new to us. In the past, those displaced would find refuge with family or friends. But now, the scale of the emergency is too vast for anyone to cope.

Through both the seaport and airport, we’re trying to keep the flow of essential supplies, but there’s widespread concern about how reliable imports will be moving forward. I’ve seen reports from pharmaceutical and food suppliers indicating that while we may have a four-month supply of medicines in the country, the sudden surge in demand is depleting those reserves faster than expected. People are panicking, buying more than they need, which is only accelerating the shortages. 

It’s not just about supply; the entire supply chain is under strain. Take, for example, the mattresses — finding bedding is now a significant challenge. One of the largest mattress factories, located in Bekaa, was hit by Israeli airstrikes. The destruction of these kinds of facilities has caused a real crisis in basic goods. We’re scrambling to find new suppliers, diversify our sources, and buy whatever is available, but there are limits to what we can do. Some mattresses are trickling in from Syria, but it’s nowhere near enough to meet the demand.

One of my colleagues lives in Burj Al Barajneh Palestinian camp in southern Beirut. She told me that she and her family spent a day on the street after being unable to find shelter. They eventually returned to their home, despite the risks, choosing a roof over their heads instead of homelessness. They have refused to leave home, as bombs continue hitting the city’s southern areas. Just yesterday, explosions in Burj El Barajneh shook the ground beneath us throughout Beirut. 

The trauma is overwhelming. It’s impossible to fully describe the fear and hostility we’re living through.

I’ve survived all of Lebanon’s wars, but this one is different. I’m not sure how much more I can take and stay mentally strong. It’s not just about me, though. Everyone is feeling this. I want our staff to remain calm and support each other. The stress is palpable and we’re trying to provide psychological support wherever we can.

I’m grateful to our Anera community who continues to work through this chaos and to help Lebanon. Please stay strong for us. We need you more than ever.