- War in Lebanon has displaced over 1.2 million people, leaving civilians like Mohamad Saaydoun vulnerable to harsh living conditions.
- Double amputee Mohamad Saaydoun faces significant challenges in a makeshift camp due to limited mobility and lack of medical supplies.
- Forced displacement disproportionately affects people with disabilities, highlighting the hidden costs of war on vulnerable populations.
- Mohamad’s story showcases the importance of aid and support for individuals with disabilities during times of conflict and displacement.
- The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon underscores the need for sustained international attention and assistance to address the needs of displaced civilians.
What happens to the most vulnerable when war erupts? In Lebanon, where more than 1.2 million people have been displaced by relentless airstrikes and cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah, this question weighs heavily on civilians like Mohamad Saaydoun. A double amputee who lost both legs in a previous conflict, Mohamad now lives in a cramped tent in a makeshift camp near Beirut, far from his home in the north. With limited mobility, no access to consistent medical supplies, and dwindling humanitarian support, his daily struggle reveals the hidden cost of war on those least able to flee or recover. As global attention shifts, survivors like Mohamad are left asking: where am I supposed to go?
The Human Cost of Forced Displacement
Mohamad Saaydoun’s story is not unique, but it underscores the disproportionate impact of war on people with disabilities. After losing his legs in an explosion years ago, he rebuilt his life in Bint Jbeil, a town in southern Lebanon close to the Israeli border. When the latest wave of hostilities erupted in September 2023, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into northern Israel, prompting massive Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon. Entire villages were evacuated, including Mohamad’s. Unable to walk without prosthetics and reliant on family for transport, he was among the last to leave. By the time he reached a temporary shelter in a school-turned-camp in Mount Lebanon, his prosthetic limbs were damaged, and his medications had run out. The United Nations reports that nearly 20% of those displaced have some form of disability, yet most emergency shelters remain inaccessible.
Evidence of Systemic Gaps in Crisis Response
Data from humanitarian agencies paints a grim picture of Lebanon’s collapsing support systems. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that only 30% of emergency shelters in Lebanon are equipped for people with disabilities. For someone like Mohamad, this means no ramps, no accessible toilets, and no reliable access to physiotherapy or psychological care. “We’re invisible in the crisis,” he told Reuters during a rare interview. International aid groups, including Handicap International and the Lebanese Red Cross, have issued urgent appeals but face funding shortfalls. According to the World Health Organization, over 50 health facilities in southern Lebanon have been damaged or destroyed, severing lifelines for chronic patients and trauma survivors. The WHO warns that without immediate intervention, preventable complications could lead to secondary amputations and increased mortality.
Counter-Perspectives: Security Versus Civilian Protection
While humanitarian organizations emphasize civilian suffering, Israeli officials argue that Hezbollah’s use of civilian areas for military operations forces difficult tactical decisions. “Hezbollah embeds its command centers in residential zones, putting non-combatants at risk,” said a senior Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson in a briefing covered by BBC News. Some analysts agree that the asymmetry of urban warfare complicates efforts to protect vulnerable populations. However, human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused both sides of violating international humanitarian law. Amnesty documented cases where Israeli airstrikes hit clearly marked medical convoys, while Hezbollah has fired rockets from densely populated areas. These actions, critics argue, create a cycle of retaliation that disproportionately harms civilians—especially those with pre-existing medical needs.
Real-World Impact on Families and Communities
The consequences extend far beyond individual survival. Mohamad’s 12-year-old daughter, Layla, has not attended school in months. The family’s savings have evaporated, and his wife works irregular cleaning jobs to afford food and medicine. In camps across Lebanon, child labor and early marriage rates are rising, according to UNICEF. Mental health is another silent crisis: a recent study by the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva found that 68% of displaced Lebanese adults show symptoms of PTSD, with rates even higher among people with disabilities. Without stable housing, education, or income, families like the Saaydouns face long-term disintegration. “We didn’t choose this war,” Mohamad said. “But we’re paying the highest price.”
What This Means For You
The plight of displaced people with disabilities in Lebanon is a stark reminder that wars are not measured only in territory gained or lost, but in lives upended. While global diplomacy focuses on ceasefire negotiations and regional security, the day-to-day reality for millions hinges on access to clean water, medicine, and dignity. Supporting humanitarian efforts through reputable organizations or advocating for inclusive crisis policies can make a tangible difference. Mohamad’s question—“where am I supposed to go?”—is not just personal. It’s a challenge to the international community’s commitment to human rights in conflict zones.
As hostilities persist and winter approaches, the fate of Lebanon’s displaced population remains uncertain. How can humanitarian systems adapt to protect the most vulnerable when infrastructure collapses? And what responsibility do global powers bear in ensuring that ceasefires include provisions for medical aid and disability access? These questions demand more than attention—they require action.
Source: Al Jazeera