Since October 2023 and the escalation of violence between Israël and the Hamas, growing tensions in South Lebanon along the border with Israel have led to the displacement of almost 97,000 people. This is also true for 8-year-old Mohammed from the village of Aita.
Mohammed’s family displaced by armed violence
Mohammed was born with cerebral palsy due to complications during his delivery. He faces severe functional difficulties, such as muscle stiffness, and cannot sit, stand, or walk. He also has a significant speech delay.
His challenges were compounded by the daily bombings that rocked his hometown of Aita Al Chaeb, located near the Israeli-Lebanese border.
In search of safety, Mohammed's family fled to Maarakeh, a village in Tyre, where the fighting is less intense. They found shelter through the kindness of the community. The family of ten, including Mohammed, now shares a modest three-room home provided by the villagers.
Despite escaping the immediate dangers of conflict, the family's struggles are far from over.
Without a steady income, they rely heavily on support from the municipality and various organizations, including HI. However, meeting all their needs, especially those of Mohammed, remains a challenge.
He has never had a wheelchair, and the high costs of rehabilitation services have meant a lack of necessary physiotherapy sessions. Mohammed used to spend his days lying on the floor, only being moved when his mother carried him.
Mohammed first wheelchair
In collaboration with the Palestinian Women Humanitarian Organisation (PWHO), HI provided Mohammed with a wheelchair specific for cerebral palsy, a reeducation ball for home exercises, a hygiene kit, and diapers to address his sanitation needs.
Furthermore, he was connected to the PWHO rehabilitation center, where he began receiving physiotherapy to improve his positioning and core muscle strength, and occupational therapy to enhance his fine motor and coordination skills.
A relief for all the family
The impact on Mohammed’s life has been profound. His mother and grandfather can now take him outside with ease, using the wheelchair instead of carrying him. His grandfather kept repeating how overjoyed he was that Mohammed can now visit neighbors, go outside, and meet other children:
"Thanks for your support in this hard time."
HI action in south of Lebanon
- In response to the emergency in the region, HI is assisting the displaced population:
- Providing 1,070 mobility aids (crutches, wheelchairs, etc.) and 2,314 packs of diapers for distribution by our partners;
- Training 75 Lebanese civil security volunteers to take into account the needs of people with disabilities as preparedness for evacuation and management of displaced persons;
- Training 64 partner staffs helping displaced persons in the provision of psychological support;
- Training 77 physical therapists in emergency rehabilitation in partnership with the Lebanese Order of Physiotherapists and the International Committee of the Red Cross;
- Running risk education and conflict preparedness sessions explosive remnants risk education and conflict preparedness sessions for 5,140 participants.
HI extends its gratitude to the Start Network for supporting early preparedness in 2023 and to the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs for supporting our 2024 emergency response in southern Lebanon.
Call for ceasefire
HI calls on all parties to the conflict for an immediate ceasefire and an end to all hostilities across the region. HI further calls to immediately cease all use of explosive weapons in populated areas that not only leaves immediate devastating effects on the populations in the region, but also has long term consequences in form of explosive ordnance contamination that continues to pose a deadly threat for years to come.
HI supports #CeasefireNow, an open call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and further loss of innocent life, and to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered quickly and safely.
