Lebanese Citizens Display Resilience Amid Devastation and Displacement
Protesters in Beirut calling for a solution to Lebanon’s economic crisis on March 22, 2023.
Photo Credit: Hussam Shbaro/Anadolu Agency.
Current conflicts in the Middle East are resulting in significant displacement and devastation, fracturing the lives of Lebanese citizens. On top of an already spiraling economy, the divided Lebanese government is not well equipped to help its suffering citizens. Despite these challenges, Lebanese citizens have remained resilient, helping to house and feed their displaced neighbors.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, had previously warned Lebanon of future attacks if Hezbollah was still present within the nation: “I say to you, the people of Lebanon: Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end.” Because Hezbollah has “de facto control over southern Lebanon,” removing the organization from the country — if even achievable — poses a great challenge for the already struggling people of Lebanon. Instead of completely dismantling the militant group, Netanyahu recently agreed to a ceasefire, which states that Hezbollah must remain 20 miles inland from the Israeli border. As the agreement relies on both Hezbollah and Israel keeping the peace, it remains to be seen whether or not it will hold. While the tentative ceasefire is cause for celebration, the destruction and displacement the war caused still must be dealt with.
In the wake of conflict, Lebanese citizens have experienced horrific humanitarian crises such as displacement, food insecurity, and housing instability. Lebanese citizens near the country’s southern border have been forced to evacuate due to Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah activity. As of early October, over one million have fled their homes, and over 300,000 have left the country. Additionally, the United Nations reported that, as of November 11th, only 6% of the required food and cash assistance had been provided.
Over the past 4 years, Lebanon has been in a continuous state of economic and political instability. Lebanon’s currency has already lost 98% of its value, and an estimated 80% of Lebanese citizens are living in poverty. As Lebanese citizens try to decrease their own food consumption and expenses, this makes it difficult for them to offer food and financial support to their displaced neighbors. Without the security of their homes, jobs, and community networks, displaced Lebanese citizens are experiencing housing instability, hunger, and fear in their everyday lives.
Furthermore, Lebanon has been under a caretaker government for two years, meaning only the country’s basic functions are being run until a permanent government is agreed upon. According to the New York Times, the caretaker government is “largely powerless to rein in Hezbollah,” causing concerns that Hezbollah will break the ceasefire agreement, in which case Israel has warned it would “respond severely.” This threatens the security of the nation and makes it more difficult for the needs of the Lebanese people to be met. Hezbollah’s ability to act without the approval of the Lebanese parliament leads to additional fear and hardship for Lebanese citizens.
Despite Lebanon’s economic challenges and parliamentary struggles, some aid efforts focusing on food and shelter are being made. Proposals of turning “government-owned buildings” into temporary shelters have been put forward, and a women’s art center slightly north of Beirut created a community kitchen to help feed the displaced. Volunteer women from the center meet to cook and package meals to deliver to shelters. The center is also serving as a donation area to “drop off center for blankets, clothes, and supplies.”
This effort, while helpful, cannot make up for the impacts of war on its own. Not all of the government’s housing solution proposals could be implemented, as some politicians stood against the plan to repurpose Lebanon’s central bank properties in order to satisfy their own financial interests. If the displaced are housed in the central bank properties, then those assets cannot be sold to pay off bank depositors — many of whom are politicians — in a financial crisis. Additionally, Christian and Druze-majority communities are reluctant to take in displaced Lebanese that are coming from Hezbollah-linked areas, due to concerns about being “dragged into” the conflict.
Additionally, those who have rallied support for the displaced received snide remarks from worried citizens. Some of these include, “When you go to give the help, is there a member of Hezbollah waiting for you at the door?” and “Why are you helping them? They don’t deserve it; this is because of them.” They have observed the destruction and hardship others have endured living in Hezbollah-linked areas targeted by Israel, and their fearful desire to avoid this fate has led to prejudice and disdain. As part of an effort to turn away fleeing families, landlords have also begun quoting unmanageable rental prices.
However, many citizens are not letting fear prevent them from demanding aid for the displaced. One local government in northern Lebanon wanted to avoid taking in the displaced, but pressure from residents changed their minds. The residents spoke of feeling a “common sympathy and sense of duty” that drove them to action.
The show of support Lebanese citizens offer each other is a bright light in a dark time for Lebanon. Facing economic and political instability, war raging around them, and constant fear of what could happen next, Lebanese citizens opening their homes and helping one another is more than admirable.