A Lifeline in the Chaos

“Each passing day, I lived with the constant fear of losing my life, losing colleagues or patients, and of being caught in the grip of heavy airstrikes as I moved around the area,” says Doctor Zakaria.

The conflict along the southern border since October 8, 2023, escalated dramatically in September 2024 resulting in over 3,800 deaths and displacing 1.4 million people. This involved airstrikes and an Israeli cross-border invasion, which caused widespread damage and forced many people to flee their homes. Throughout the country, particularly in the Bekaa Valley and the South, many families sought refuge in schools in other safer areas that had been converted into collective shelter. Since 8 October 2023, there have been 140 recorded attacks on healthcare sites with the attacks claiming the lives of 233 health workers, who were dedicated to saving lives in their communities.

Meet Doctor Zakaria, a seasoned OBGYN (doctor of obstetrics and gynecology) and head of the Medair supported primary healthcare centre in Bekaa Valley – an under-served region with limited access to health services, that was significantly impacted by the airstrikes during the active conflict. Despite the ongoing airstrikes and the danger to his life, Doctor Zakaria and his staff at the primary health care centre remained committed to their humanitarian mission and continued to work at healthcare centre due to the increasing demand for medical care. Despite the risks and dangers—whether from conflict, political instability, a fragile healthcare system, or the physical demands of working in such environments—their drive to help others kept them going.

At the peak of the conflict in September, the situation in the Bekaa Valley was extremely volatile, with airstrikes in certain areas lasting up to three or four hours each day. In response, the primary health center shifted to a twice-weekly service to meet the growing need for healthcare access. Despite the frequent airstrikes occurring nearby, the facility remained open, driven by the urgent demand from community members seeking essential medical care, and access to medications.  

Doctor Zakaria reflects on how he and his team established a lifeline during the chaotic period. They provided essential care to community members in urgent need, reflecting on their overall experience of responding during challenging times.

“The constant threat of airstrikes created an environment where every moment in my life felt unpredictable—it seemed to stretch on endlessly, almost like a lifetime. Each passing day, I lived with the constant fear of losing my life, losing colleagues or patients, and of being caught in the grip of heavy airstrikes as I moved around the area. Personally, even the simple act of going to work or performing routine tasks was completely overshadowed by the risk of danger. Danger surrounded us on all sides, and there was no certainty that any of us would survive it. My staff, like me, were determined to keep responding, but they were also aware of the risks.

On the one hand I was concerned with my personal safety and that of my staff, and on the other hand, I was confronted with the increasing needs of the people who urgently required medical care. Many of those who came to the health centre required immediate medical attention. Each airstrike would leave behind widespread and devastating destruction. The pressure to juggle providing medical care with limited resources, all while under the constant risk of more airstrikes, was overwhelming. It was an incredibly heavy burden on me and my staff, knowing we were responsible for people’s lives, and aware that so much of the situation was beyond our control. Everyone was scared and it was a lot to take in all at once. I was leading my staff, ensuring we had the necessary resources, while also managing the flow of patients coming in to tend to their needs.  

Adding to the anxiety and stress, the reports flooding in about healthcare facilities—these places meant to be safe havens for people—being targeted in Lebanon, only deepened the sense of chaos and danger. It was honestly frustrating and deeply disheartening. Despite the ongoing instability, my team and I chose to stay in the area and continue addressing the community’s needs, knowing that many people were unable to flee their homes. With no other doctors or nearby healthcare facilities, the reality of the situation made us act. Without our presence in the healthcare centre, many in the area would be left without access to medical services and medications. We were their only hope.”

During the emergency response, Medair provided urgent support through its Health and Psychosocial interventions. Over 1,000 staff and volunteers have been trained in Psychological First Aid, and more than 3,000 Psychological First Aid sessions have been conducted. Additionally, Medair provided assistance to 27 shelters with 5 mobile health units and has supported 6 primary healthcare centers— being one of them, where Doctor Zakaria and his dedicated team continue their efforts to care for those in need.

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Medair's work in Lebanon is possible with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office (or AA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Chaîne du Bonheur, USAID and the generous support of the American People, Swiss Development Cooperation through Interaction-CH,) and generous private donors.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.

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