It saddens me to type these words as I reflect on the state of humanity today, today of all days.
Displacement across the globe is at record high with over 120 million[1] people worldwide forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence and human rights violations.
That’s 1 in 67 people on earth.
War and conflict in particular leaves its devastating mark across continents and with every war – women and children bare the brunt of violence shattering lives and leaving communities traumatized.
Middle East Crisis: Lebanon under attack
Since March, we have been coordinating an emergency response to communities forced to flee their homes and neighborhoods as Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are quite literally breaking cities apart.
As of June 1st, 133,800 people are displaced scattered across over 600 shelters.
52% of this figure are women and girls and as bombardment continues, shelters already at the brink of capacity are leaving more families desperately seeking safety.
Between May 29th and June 1st, five health care facilities have been attacked[2] and airstrikes continue in Southern Lebanon.
For #RefugeeWeek we are sharing stories of ordinary families whose lives have been upended as the Middle East Crisis continues to impact the lives of thousands.
In Beirut, we are supporting people whose lives were precarious even before the outbreak of war – Often refugees who have already fled their home countries because of violence.
The situation is absolutely heartbreaking as families face the very dangers they had fled from not long ago.
Azeb’s story is one of pure shock
A mother of a four-year toddler, Azeb lived in Borj El Barajneh in the southern suburbs of the Beirut.
In the middle of the night airstrikes rained down on the city and like many of her neighbours, Azeb and her family woke up terrified fleeing the district on foot. In the chaos traffic blocked roads and people panicked out on the streets.
Azeb travelled from place to place seeking emergency shelters.
Thankfully, she was directed to St Joseph’s Jesuit Church where she remains today.
“Thank God, they welcomed us here” Azeb tells us.
Rudayna’s story & a heartfelt wish
Like so many others in Southern Lebanon, Rudayna a Sudanese refugee, found herself and her children displaced once again.
“What I wish for the most is that God heals my daughter and she finds a place and environment that can truly care for children like her”
Nine month’s pregnant and fleeing recent bombings with her family, Rudayna worries about her condition and access to a health facility.
At St Joseph’s Church, she has some respite and humanitarian aid but she is saddened for her children and the unknown future that has so many families stuck in limbo, fearful and anxious.
Most of all, she worries about her daughter who has autism. Before the war, she was making progress and getting the therapy she needed but airstrikes and being uprooted from home has caused a relapse and her daughter isn’t talking again.
“Now her condition has become so sensitive – even if a door closes – she becomes terrified and starts screaming”
#RefugeeDay, Do something amazing and help us continue to support refugees like Rudayna and Azeb.
Where war and violence has shattered lives.
You can find out more about our work in Lebanon by clicking the link, here
[1] UNHCR Global trends 2025. Link to report: here
[2] Relief Web: Lebanon Updates May-June 2026. Link to report: here