Lebanon: Displaced and trading innocence for resilience in the suburbs of Beirut

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are among the most vulnerable populations in times of crisis. Unlike refugees, they remain within their country’s borders and rely on their own state for protection. Yet, in fragile contexts, the state’s capacity to uphold these responsibilities can be limited. Under IHL, all civilians, including IDPs, are entitled to protection from harm, access to essential aid, and respect for their dignity. 

As a consequence of being displaced, people often struggle to meet their essential needs, and they may face particular threats, such as tensions between them and host communities, settlement in unsafe or otherwise unfit locations, and being forced return to unsafe areas. Also, the lack of access to official documents, often left behind or lost during flight, is one of the major concerns affecting internally displaced people. Without those documents, people may not be able to access essential services such as health care and education.

Many displaced families who had been sleeping on the streets following the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon were invited to take refuge in the newly refurbished shelter in Beirut's Karantina neighborhood, which has become a lifeline for families displaced by the conflict. Once a deteriorating structure, the shelter has been transformed through the collaborative efforts of local authorities, community members, and international organizations like the ICRC. Designed to meet the immediate and long-term needs of internally displaced people, the shelter provides safe, clean, and secure living spaces for individuals and families grappling with the uncertainty of displacement.

Inside, the shelter features private rooms for families, communal areas to foster a sense of community, and access to basic services, including clean water and sanitation facilities. These improvements not only offer physical protection but also promote the well-being of residents. This shelter represents more than just a roof. For families uprooted by Lebanon’s ongoing crisis it is a chance to rebuild lives and regain a sense of near-normalcy.