The healing power of play in crisis

Amid hostilities and a prolonged, multilayered crisis marked by displacement and uncertainty, deep psychological scars have spread across Lebanon.  

Before the hostilities, adolescence in Lebanon looked much like it does anywhere else in the world. School days, followed by outdoor activities, laughter with friends, and moments of play that offer connection, confidence, and joy. These activities, which may seem ordinary, are essential to healthy development, helping children and adolescents build friendships, regulate emotions, and navigate the challenges of growing up.

Today, for many children and adolescents across Lebanon, that normalcy has been put on hold, in some cases even shattered. Since 2 March, renewed escalations have forced over 1 million people to flee their homes in search of safety, often carrying little more than the clothes on their backs. Today, many are living in overcrowded public schools, where classrooms have become temporary homes, and where uncertainty defines a daily routine.

Children and adolescents face consequences that go far beyond physical displacement. Losing their homes, routines, and communities, combined with repeated exposure to airstrikes and constant fear, severely impacts their mental health. This trauma manifests as anxiety, withdrawal, sleeplessness, irritability, and deep hopelessness. At a critical stage of development, many in Lebanon are navigating this without the stability, relationships, and safe spaces they once relied on.

Play is often one of the first casualties of hostilities, yet it is essential. More than recreation, it helps children and adolescents heal and shape their identity. Through sports and group activities, they can reconnect, express emotions, rebuild confidence, and regain a sense of control.

Children and adolescents who initially arrive withdrawn and reluctant to participate gradually begin to laugh, engage with others, and open up about their experiences.  

During one of the peer support sessions held for children and adolescents at a public school, our team met with Zainab’s mother. Zainab, a 6-year-old girl who has been internally displaced, had taken part in one of the recreational sessions. Her mother shared how relieved she was to see her daughter joyful again: “I can’t remember the last time I saw my daughter this joyful and full of laughter. Ever since we left our home, she hasn’t been the same; she’s become more withdrawn and reserved. I know she’s been carrying the weight of everything we’ve been through. Still, trying to find a silver lining, I’m grateful that during the sessions she’s able to express herself. Seeing her laugh, have fun, and connect with other children has truly made me happy. I believe this will help her get through this difficult phase we are facing.”  

Zainab also shared what the sessions meant to her: “I like to play and spend time with the other children who are staying here with their families. It makes me happy to move, laugh, and feel like we are all in it together.”

In 2026, Medair’s mental health and psychosocial support interventions focus on recreational sessions to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents affected by hostilities across Lebanon. By restoring opportunities for play and connection, the project aims to improve overall wellbeing and help children and adolescents recover from trauma. In times of conflict, play is not a luxury; it’s crucial. For children and adolescents, it helps reclaim their sense of safety and helps them reignite the strength to move forward.

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Why is play so important?

Play restores moments of normality and quiets the harsh chaos around. It allows children and adolescents to feel safe again, even during hostilities. It supports identity by allowing them a space to explore who they are, what they enjoy, what they value, and how they relate to others. Through play, they experiment with roles, express emotions, build confidence, and develop a sense of belonging, all of which shape their identity.

Recognising this, and with funding from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), Medair is implementing recreational sessions for 270 children and adolescents, both boys and girls, affected by the hostilities and displacement across Lebanon.  

Delivered in public schools turned into collective shelters, these sessions combine structured play, recreational activities, and guided discussions to create safe spaces where children and adolescents can connect, express themselves, and support one another. Through a series of play-based activities, children and adolescents are encouraged to laugh, express emotions, and spend meaningful moments together, helping them rebuild trust, strengthen connections with each other, and regain a sense of normality despite the challenges of their current state.

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Medair's work in Lebanon is possible with funding from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund/OCHA, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Department of State – United States, Swiss Development Cooperation through Interaction-CH , German Federal Foreign Office, Government of the Principality of Monaco, Métropole de Grenoble, 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 organisation.