“The only positive aspect that we can see in this war is solidarity,” breathes Sarah Al Charif. When the bombings intensified in Lebanon two weeks ago, the young woman and dozens of volunteers working for the non-governmental organization Ruwwad Al Tanmeya set to work, deploying ingenuity and expertise, to help the hundreds thousands of Lebanese suddenly chased from their homes.
“They arrived with nothing. They left everything behind them,” says the activist from Tripoli, the second largest city in Lebanon, which sees the influx of displaced people increasing day by day. “It’s a disaster. »
According to the UN, in the past year, more than 1 million Lebanese have been forced to leave their homes near the Blue Line along the Lebanese-Israeli border, including at least 400,000 in the last two years alone. weeks, while Israel carries out intense bombings.
Most of these shelters are public schools that must organize on their own. They need support. They do not have adequate infrastructure. And some shelters aren’t even schools, so they’re even less well suited to serve as shelters.
“Looking at them, we said to ourselves that we are all Lebanese and that we must support each other,” says Sarah. We need [voir et de vivre] this solidarity, since it is the last hope we have left when such emergencies arise. »
The NGO, although focused on education, Ruwwad Al Tanmeya, thus urgently transformed into a mutual aid network. “We have a community kitchen, so we decided to provide hot meals,” says the organization’s director for Lebanon. From now on, every day, some 3,000 meals come out of the kitchens of Ruwwad in Tripoli and are sent to improvised accommodation centers.
Schools
“Most of these shelters are public schools that have to organize themselves,” she adds. They need support. They do not have adequate infrastructure. And some shelters aren’t even schools, so they’re even less well suited to serve as shelters. »
The needs are immense, as much in electricity, water and fuel as in food, hygiene products, mattresses, blankets, etc. “There are needs for all basic items. » All in a context where Lebanon has been suffering a major economic crisis for five years, recalls Sarah.
In addition to providing meals, Ruwwad also raises funds and collects in-kind donations to meet specific needs. “We distribute the donations we receive, and sometimes we also purchase items to fill the gaps in shelters. […] Everyone is trying to help, whether it’s through financial donations, in-kind donations, or volunteering. »
In recent days, the successes of the organization have led the young woman to be entrusted with the role of coordinator of aid efforts on the ground, a pivotal role that she exercises with other organizations present in Tripoli and the authorities. municipal. “ [Pour faire face à la situation]we need to go well beyond the interventions of a single organization, she says. The government, international organizations and civil society as a whole — including Lebanese citizens living in Lebanon and abroad — must also get involved. »
Submerged city
In Tripoli, it is not only the shelters that are overwhelmed by the influx of displaced people, but also the city itself. Lebanon is already one of the most densely populated countries on the planet, with a population of 5.5 million inhabitants in a territory of 10,542 km2an area three times smaller than Belgium.
“Today, the same population must live in a restricted geographical area. So if you come here [à Tripoli]you will see traffic congestion and crowds. [Peu importe où l’on veut se déplacer]it takes a lot of time due to traffic. So really everyone is experiencing the consequences of this war. »
Children are also at the forefront of this crisis, with around 40% of the country’s 1.25 million students displaced, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Education, and almost all of Lebanon’s children deprived of school.
“Education is suspended in public schools, as during the pandemic. It’s another school year that they will miss,” laments Sarah. A situation which, as during the COVID-19 crisis, generates injustices since children attending private school or who have not been displaced could resume their education more quickly.
According to the latest report drawn up by the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli strikes carried out in Lebanon left 2,083 dead and 9,869 injured. The Israeli army warned Monday that it was preparing to further expand its military operations against Hezbollah, whose strike force it wants to neutralize.
Sarah Al Charif is well aware that her country has a long road ahead of it. “By preserving these three important values of empathy, solidarity and humanity, we will be able to preserve [notre cohésion sociale]she said. The war is not going to end in a few days, so we must continue to be mobilized to get through it. »