Displacement Under Fire: Jana's Journey from the South to Tripoli

Jana’s life has been a series of upheavals, each more heart-wrenching than the last. A 27-year-old mother of four, her story mirrors the resilience and despair of countless displaced families. Originally from Al Ghouta, Damascus, she has endured the horrors of war, the loss of her father, and multiple displacements, the most recent of which forced her to flee from Tyr in South Lebanon to Tripoli in the north.  

The latest displacement came amid terrifying violence. "A missile hit nearby," Jana recalled. "We heard people screaming, children running in fear. Another missile struck, and we knew we had to leave." Packing what little they could, Jana, her husband, and their children embarked on a harrowing 10-hour journey. The roads were clogged with fleeing families, their cries mingling with the distant sounds of warplanes. She shared, holding back tears. “I was in my final month of pregnancy,  my children cried the entire journey. We had no food or water to give them.”  

The family arrived in Tripoli exhausted and vulnerable. They initially found temporary shelter with Jana’s sister-in-law, joining four other displaced families crammed into a small space. “I was pregnant, overwhelmed, and looking after three children,” Jana explained. “The exhaustion was unbearable.” When she gave birth, complications required urgent care. While the UNHCR covered part of the hospital expenses, Jana depended on the kindness of neighbors and relatives to make up the rest.  

Settling in Tripoli brought new challenges. The family managed to rent a small house in Wadi Jalloul, but the costs were exorbitant, worsened by exploitative commission fees. “We were taken advantage of at every turn,” Jana lamented. Despite finding a roof over their heads, they felt unwelcome in their new neighborhood. “The children are too scared to go outside,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. “Even at the market, we’re called ‘the displaced.’ It’s like we don’t belong anywhere.”  

The trauma has taken a toll on Jana and her family. Her children, once eager learners, now refuse to attend school, haunted by the chaos they’ve endured. “I try to stay positive in front of them,” Jana admitted, “but inside, I feel hopeless.”  

Yet, even in the face of such hardship, Jana clings to hope. “We rely on God,” she said firmly. “I want my children to believe that one day, they’ll return to school and have a better future.” She dreams of a world where her family can live safely, without fear of bombs or hunger.  

For Jana, survival is a daily battle, but her resilience shines through. Her story is a testament to the strength of displaced families everywhere, enduring unimaginable trials while holding onto the hope of a better tomorrow.  

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