Since October 2023 when the war in Gaza began, growing tensions in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel have led to the displacement of almost 97,000 people. Hayat, a 63-year-old woman with disability, was forced to leave all her belongings and seek safety elsewhere.
To be displaced as a person with disability
Hayat is a 63-year-old woman with disability: She was born with cerebral palsy, causing weakness in her upper and lower body, balance disorders and deformities in her feet.
On 8th of October, when bombs started falling on their village, Majdal Zoun, in south Lebanon close to the border with Israel, Hayat and her sister left everything they own to find safety in the village of Chebriha (Tyre).
People from Chebriha provided her with a home, however it was neither equipped nor furnished to accommodate Hayat disability.
“There are only two mattresses and two blankets, there is no heating source or electricity,” said Hayat’s sister.
Hayat and her elderly sister have no income of their own, however their needs don’t only start with furniture or adapted facilities; in addition to electricity, the sisters need basic supplies, hygiene materials, and diapers for Hayat – all of which are very expensive, especially for people who cannot earn a living
Hayat faces numerous obstacles when trying to move from her mattress to her wheelchair, or move around in general. Her sister manages to provide crucial support mainly in assisting her with mobility and accessing the bathroom.
HI supports persons with disabilities
With help of its partner the Palestinian Women Humanitarian Organisation (PWHO), HI provided Hayat with a foldable bed and a wheelchair with cushion to help her regain mobility inside and outside her home, to lessen the physical burden on her sister.
In addition, Hayat was provided with a hygiene kit and diapers offering her a practical solution for hygiene and sanitation needs and to provide alternatives to challenges that Hayat is facing to frequently access the toilet.
“I am really thankful for your support, it came at a time when we really needed it, as we would never be able to afford the costs of hygiene kits or the devices that HI brought. I really hope that you will continue your support during these difficult times,” said Hayat as she was explaining how her life had changed for the better ever since she received HI’s support. She is now not only able to move inside and outside the house independently, but can also stop worrying about negatively impacting her elderly sister’s health who suffered a lot while helping Hayat move around!
HI with its partner PWHO will keep working to ensure continuity of care and access to needed services for displaced persons with disabilities.
As HI mobilizes local partners to extend support to displaced families and individuals with disabilities in Lebanon, the need for additional funding becomes paramount. Timely and appropriate assistance can make a significant difference in the lives of those like Hayat, offering a glimmer of hope and a lifeline for those most in need.
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 consider the needs of people with disabilities as a part of preparedness for evacuation and management of displaced persons;
- Training 64 partner staff to provide psychological support for displaced population;
- Training 77 physical therapists in emergency rehabilitation in partnership with the Lebanese Order of Physiotherapists and the International Committee of the Red Cross;
- Conducting explosive ordnance 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.
