South Lebanon: Thousands displaced and urgent healthcare needs
“I won’t forget the sound of the air raid that woke us up that night, and I will wait for the day when I can go back to my old room.” Says Zahra 11 years old, from Aita Al Shaab displaced in Tayr Felsay, south of Lebanon.
The Israel-Gaza conflict has spilled over into neighbouring Lebanon, particularly along its southern borders, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have persisted since October 8, 2023. In recent months the conflict have seen an escalation, with heavy Israeli bombardments displacing more than 94 thousand of Lebanese residents and exacerbating the region’s humanitarian crisis.
“At the beginning of the latest conflict in South Lebanon, we thought it would be as usual, for a few days, maybe weeks, and then it would stop. But when the air strikes intensified, we had to leave our house and farm and move immediately to my relatives in Tayr Falsay.” Says Abu Mohammed, 68 years old from Aitaroun displaced in Tayr Felsay, south of Lebanon. “I’m a farmer and I rely on my farm as a source of income. Being a displaced person isn’t new to me. In the 6 decades of my life, I’ve experienced displacement 4 times, in the 80s, 90s, 2006 and now.”
“I’ve always heard my parents’ stories of displacement over the years, and the stories of the previous wars that they witnessed, and I never thought that I would experience them myself. I miss my old room, my house, my friends.” Says Zahra.
To address the urgent healthcare needs of the displaced population, MSF has dispatched mobile medical teams to support primary healthcare centres in 4 locations in south of Lebanon: Al-Merouaniye, Ghassaniyeh, Qaaqaaiyet El Jisr, and Tayr Felsay.
MSF medical mobile teams provided 1333 medical consultations, in addition to medications, and psychosocial support for the displaced people.
“I came to this center after they told us that MSF would be visiting and providing free medical care, so I came here with my wife to follow up on the diabetes and hypertension with the medical doctor and get our medications. Since we arrived here, we haven’t found or received any humanitarian assistance from any organisation, except for the weekly visits of MSF medical teams to this health centre.” Explains Abu Mohammad.
Abu Mohammad adds, “If it weren’t for the solidarity of the people here with us, providing shelter, houses and food, I don’t know where we would end up.”
