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Lebanon's Makeshift Shelters Amid Crisis

Displaced Lebanese Find Safety in Schools, Parks

By Alissa J. Rubin and David GuttenfelderSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Lebanon's Makeshift Shelters Amid Crisis
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

As Israeli bombings intensify, displaced families across Lebanon, especially in cities like Tripoli and Beirut, have sought refuge in unconventional spaces such as schools, parks, and unfinished buildings.

In Lebanon, widespread displacement has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, as schools, clubs, and parks are repurposed into makeshift shelters amidst ongoing Israeli bombings. Families, for instance, camp out at the Quality Inn in Tripoli, transforming it into a haven for those fleeing violence. Many have created temporary homes in public spaces, using limited resources like stray metal and blankets to construct shelters along Beirut’s corniche. Parents and children are attempting to find normalcy amidst chaos. “I am lucky. I am with my whole family, and we just want this war to end so we can go home,” says Hassan al-Aaker, reflecting the resilience and hope among the displaced. With community spaces turning into shelters, the Lebanese are finding solace and safety amidst tumultuous times, though uncertainty about their future remains. Schools, typically centers of learning, have borne the brunt of the crisis, as they accommodate families seeking refuge. As the situation unfolds, options for safer, more stable living conditions are desperately sought, underscoring the urgent need for resolution and stability in the region.

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