Hidden Lives: The Silent Struggle to Survive

"In recent years, things have become even more difficult. We’re struggling more and affording less” says Rana, 56, a Lebanese community member.

For many individuals, life here might seem like an endless summer—beaches, buzzing cafés, and vibrant nightlife—but behind the postcard-perfect scenes lies a harsher truth. It reveals itself only when you dare to look behind closed doors at hidden lives—stories of silent struggle, where people fight to survive, their voices muffled by hardship, their pain unseen by the world.

In Lebanon, millions, both refugees and host communities, are enduring dire conditions, with basic necessities increasingly out of reach. By the end of 2024, the intense war in Lebanon had pushed already fragile households to the brink, exhausting what little resources they had left.

In regions like Baalbek and Bekaa, among the areas most affected by war and displacement, families continue to struggle to meet their basic needs. The prolonged socio-economic crisis, destruction of infrastructure, and ongoing instability have disrupted access to food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter. Many, already displaced or deeply impacted by the conflict, now rely on humanitarian assistance to survive and regain a sense of stability. After years of uncertainty and hardship, exhaustion is widespread, yet this lifesaving support remains a crucial source of hope for those most affected.

During a recent field visit with the team, I met Rana, 56, a Lebanese community member living in Serraaine, a village in the Baalbek-Hermel district. Rana was kind and soft-spoken. She shares a modest two-bedroom home with her two sisters. Her older sister, Zeinab, is bedridden and lives with specific needs that require constant care, attention, and medication. Rana herself faces a mental health condition that limits her ability to work and contribute financially. Their youngest sister carries the weight of supporting the family on a small income that barely covers their essential needs.

Rana’s family was identified through Medair’s outreach and coordination with local authorities and partner organizations, who refer vulnerable families at risk of eviction or living in unstable conditions. Each household is carefully assessed based on their living situation, income, and health needs to ensure that support reaches those who need it most.

Away from the eyes of the world, Rana and her siblings endure their suffering in silence. With no access to proper employment and mounting debts for essentials like food and medication, they have reached a point where they can no longer afford rent or seek medical care for Zeinab’s condition. Medair’s Cash for Rent (CfR)] project, supported by the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), aims to support the most vulnerable members of the community. Rana shared a glimpse into her reality and expressed how vital this support has been for her and her family.  

“I’m 56, an older woman and I’ve never been able to work due to a lifelong mental health condition that has held me back for so long. It pains me that I can’t contribute financially to improving our living conditions. In recent years, due to the multilayered crises in Lebanon like the socio-economic crisis, COVID-19, and the recent war, things have become even more difficult. We’re struggling more and affording less. Our resources are shrinking, and so is our ability to eat properly, stay nourished, or meet even our most basic needs. My weight keeps dropping, not by choice, but as if my body is quietly giving up. Going to bed on an empty stomach isn’t a decision we make. It’s our reality. We barely eat any protein; it’s mostly fruits and vegetables and some rice, because that’s all we can afford.”

“I worry constantly about my sister Zainab. Without proper nutrition, her condition worsens quickly. She’s bedridden, unable to move, and struggles to speak. At night, I often wake up to her crying in pain because we can’t afford her medication. We moved her bed near the balcony so she could look outside, since walking is no longer possible for her. My sister and I do everything we can to care for her, but times are harder than ever. Everyone around us is struggling, and even the small support we once received has become scarce. Just a few months ago, we were facing eviction again, unsure where we would go. We are fighting every day to survive, holding on to whatever stability we can find.”

With support from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, Medair is helping 90 of the most vulnerable households in Baalbek/Hermel avoid eviction and regain stability through Cash for Rent assistance. This humanitarian intervention provides families with a lifeline, ensuring they can remain safely in a home amid ongoing crises. Cash assistance, widely recognized by the humanitarian community as one of the most effective ways to meet urgent needs, also grants families autonomy, allowing them to make choices that reflect their realities. Beyond meeting immediate needs, it helps restore dignity and offers a step toward rebuilding stability in times of uncertainty.

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.