Lebanon war: thank you for giving

Hafra didn’t tell me much about her life before the war. She told me that her husband lost his fingers in an accident when he was 16 years old, leaving him unable to work. She told me that when her husband’s brother and sister-in-law died four years ago, she took in their six children, caring for them alongside four children of her own. She told me how hard life was for them. And how much worse things are now they’ve had to flee their home because of the war.

When the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in September 2024, hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. Mousa* who works at a church supported by BMS’ partner, Thimar, tells me about what it was like when thousands of people fled to his town. “People arrived and just slept in their cars,” he says. “It happened so suddenly, no-one was prepared. We didn’t even have cups to give people water. It took a week to get mattresses and things for people to sleep on.”

When the bombs started falling, Hafra knew she had to flee, for the sake of her children. “I was so scared,” she says. “The kids were crying and shouting… there were a lot of strikes near our home. One of my older sons almost got hit.” When she arrived here (I can’t tell you exactly where, to protect Hafra’s identity), she and her family were able to find some semblance of security – but life is still far from easy. They only have one small apartment for all 12 of them. Hafra cleans homes to earn some money, but it’s not enough to make ends meet. And, despite an uneasy ceasefire, the threat and fear of further conflict still looms. “I am the only one who can work to provide for my family,” she says. “It’s so hard and I am so tired.”

Hafra’s situation is the same for so many people who’ve been forced to flee after their homes were destroyed in the war. Which is why BMS’ partner is doing whatever they can to help – and why your gifts to our Lebanon emergency appeal were so vital. Thanks to your support, Mousa’s church were able to mobilise as quickly as they could after the conflict began and start distributing food, mattresses and blankets. And, just as importantly, they provided a safe and welcome space for people who had just lost everything. The open hearts and open-handed generosity is a sign of hope for many – including Hafra.

Thanks to your gifts, Hafra is receiving vital food parcels to help feed her family. She’s also received a fuel allowance so she can keep her family warm in the freezing winter. When Hafra had nothing, you gave her a lifeline. “My kids are so happy they have food to eat,” she says. “I’m so thankful for this help.”

Hafra can’t tell me what her future holds. She tells me that she wants to find a bigger apartment for her family. That she wants to live a normal life, like any other family. She doesn’t know when that life will be possible. But she does know that she has people she can turn to when she needs support, and they can help her get through.

*Names changed for security reasons.