Mohamad’s Story: Fleeing War in Lebanon’s South

“The new displacement brought new challenges”, Mohamad said, “I lost my job when we fled Nabatieh, and my employer still owes me $600. He blocked me when I tried to contact him”. Without an income, providing for his family has been nearly impossible. “If my children get sick, I can’t afford a doctor. I feel helpless.”

Mohamad, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, thought he had left war behind when he fled to Nabatieh in 2019. The South had offered a sense of safety, a place where he could rebuild his life. “The community was more welcoming to Syrians,” he said. He found work at a restaurant, rented a small house, and even got married, believing the worst was over. But in 2023, war erupted again, shattering the fragile stability he had fought so hard to create.

The conflict began creeping closer to Nabatieh, but Mohamad hoped it wouldn’t escalate. “We thought civilians would remain safe,” he explained. That illusion was broken one afternoon while he was working at the restaurant. “My wife called, panicked, saying missiles were landing near our house. She begged me to come home,” he recounted.

When he informed his employer about the situation, he was told to stay at work. “I couldn’t ignore my family’s fear. I left anyway,” he said. As he gathered his wife and children, a missile struck just three buildings away. “The explosion was deafening, and the fear in my children’s eyes was something I’ll never forget.”

The family joined thousands fleeing the South, navigating blocked highways and chaos. “It took us eight hours to travel the short distance to Saida,” Mohamad said. By the time they arrived, they had no shelter and no belongings. “We spent five nights on the beach. It was freezing, and my children were terrified.”

Eventually, a kind Syrian stranger offered them shelter. “He let us stay in a room he was renting, even though it was already crowded. Now, two families share the same small space,” Mohamad shared.

Aid has been scarce, adding to the difficulty. “The only help we’ve received was mattresses and blankets from a local organization. Otherwise, we’ve been on our own,” he said.

The war has left deep scars on Mohamad and his family. “My children are still terrified of loud sounds. They ask me every day if we’ll ever be safe,” he said. Despite this, Mohamad remains determined. “I pray for a chance to give my children a better life, away from war.”

His message is one of exhaustion and longing: “Enough with the wars. We’ve suffered enough. All we want is peace.”

Mohamad’s story is a stark reminder of how war follows refugees, even in places they thought would be safe. His resilience in the face of repeated displacement reflects the courage it takes to keep going amid endless challenges.

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