REPORTING. In southern Lebanon, doctors also treat psychological damage caused by war

Thanks to a Lebanese association, the poorest inhabitants of Khiam, on the Israeli border, can count on the last medical practice in the village.

In southern Lebanon, clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah continue. The almost daily bombings for four months have already left more than 200 dead, including around twenty civilians. 75,000 people fled the area to take refuge in other regions of Lebanon. In the village of Khiam, on the Israeli border, residents live cut off from the world and struggle to get medical care.

In the last medical office that is still functioning despite the war, Doctor Ahlam Assaad continues consultations. Mohamed, 45, sits down and pulls up his t-shirt. “It’s been four days, he said, that my lungs hurt.”

This consultation is entirely supported by the Lebanese association Amel, which manages this medical practice five km from the Israeli border. “For four months, I have been the only doctor here in Khiam, explains Ahlam Assaad. Lots of people have the flu right now. Lately, we also have some who have psychological problems linked to the war.”

“Everyone suffers from depression…and so do we!”

Dr Ahlam Assaad

at franceinfo

Clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army have caused most of Khiam’s residents to flee. Of the 2,000 families in the village, only about a hundred remain. Mohamed couldn’t leave. For four months, he has lived to the rhythm of bombings: “We are afraid to leave our homes because of the situation. It is very hard psychologically for me and my family. We are very poor. Our daily life is more and more difficult… Fortunately, there is this association .”

“Of course I’m afraid, but the patients are counting on us”

Wrapped up in her down jacket, with a hat on her head, director Mayssam Haydar wants to keep her center open, despite the Israeli strikes that target her region daily: “Three days ago, a bomb fell right near here. The patients started to panic. I had to calm everyone down, tell them that they weren’t going to die. We waited until the end bombings to leave. Of course I’m afraid, but the patients are counting on us. Some have chronic illnesses and can’t live without their medications.”

In this region of southern Lebanon, the State did not organize anything to shelter those who were unable to leave. Residents have been living under the threat of fire from the Israeli army for four months.