World Refugee Day: Supporting Refugee Mothers Wherever They Are

World Refugee Day, marked on June 20, honours the lives of those forced to flee conflict and hardship. In Lebanon, many Syrian refugee mothers continue to raise their children in displacement, facing insecurity and daily struggles to access healthcare. We remain committed to supporting displaced communities, amplifying their voices, and ensuring they can access the essential services they need — wherever they are.

"We live day by day, just getting by,” says Najida, a Syrian refugee mother.

In the Bekaa Valley, inside a tented home in a large informal settlement, Reine, Medair’s Community Midwife, conducts a follow-up session with Najida, just 18 years old — a young Syrian mother caring for her newborn baby boy. Before giving birth, Najida attended three antenatal care visits with Reine. Living with her family in a fragile tarpaulin tent made of plywood and timber, this support has been vital for her health and her baby’s well-being at such a young age.

Najida fled her home in Syria as a young girl, arriving in Lebanon after a long and arduous journey. Like thousands of other families escaping conflict, she faced the challenges of displacement and had to adapt to a harsh new reality in an unfamiliar country, far from everything she once knew. As she sits in her tented home, a soft breeze rustles the plastic sheeting, its rhythmic tapping echoing through the space. Reflecting on her experience, Najida says, “After all these years, we’re making the most of what we have, even though our resources are limited.”

Since the start of the refugee’s crisis in Lebanon over 14 years ago, access to essential health services remains a significant challenge for many Syrian refugee mothers living in informal settlements across Lebanon. Living in isolated areas, they face significant transport and financial barriers, including long travel distances, lack of transportation, and the high cost of medical care. Consequently, care for maternal, newborn, and reproductive health is frequently delayed or missed altogether, putting the health and well-being of both mothers and their children at serious risk.

The multi-layered crisis in Lebanon has significantly compromised maternal and child health, increasing the risk of acute and chronic malnutrition among the most vulnerable groups. “I’m a mother now, with a newborn to care for, and it’s all so new and overwhelming.” According to an assessment conducted by UNICEF, 45% of households were forced to cut spending on health and 30% on education to afford necessities — reflecting the widespread need for humanitarian assistance. (UNICEF, 2023).

Currently, Najida and her family continue to struggle under the weight of a compounded crisis and escalating inflation rates. “My husband doesn’t earn much, as stable employment opportunities are limited. I worry about what the future holds.” Funded by the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), Medair provides critical health services to families wherever they live through a network of Community Midwives (CMWs) and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs). Community Midwives visit the informal settlements and provide antenatal and postnatal care, along with family planning information, directly to women like Najida. Meanwhile, Community Health Volunteers conduct home visits, sharing information on reproductive health, infant and childcare, mental well-being, and empowering women to make informed decisions about their health and safety.  Additionally, offering free services at home, we help families overcome financial and transport barriers to care.

Najida explains, “as a refugee mother, I’m incredibly grateful to Reine, Medair’s community midwife. Throughout my pregnancy, she’s been there to support and guide me, providing important information about pregnancy, childcare, and breastfeeding. I learn so much during our sessions, and it really helps put my mind at ease.”

Reine has been a steady presence throughout Najida’s pregnancy and delivery. Medair’s community midwives provide essential care — from monitoring health to offering guidance on nutrition, birth preparedness, and postnatal support — ensuring women in tented settlements receive the support they need every step of the way.

As Najida puts it, “No matter what questions or doubts I have, Reine always reassures me and makes sure I have the right information. At just 18, this journey into motherhood hasn’t been easy, but her presence has made a real difference in my life.”

Medair’s support continues well beyond childbirth, offering mothers like Najida both postnatal care and community-based guidance to promote family well-being. Following the birth of her baby, Reine—Medair’s community midwife—continues to visit Najida at home to monitor the health of both mother and child and answer any questions she may have.  

Shortly after her consultation with Reine, Najida joined an awareness session led by a Medair community health volunteer. The session, shaped by participants, focused on the importance of gender roles in creating safer, respectful households. Through storytelling and visual activities, the group explored how shared responsibilities and women’s involvement in decision-making can reduce tensions and prevent gender-based violence.

With the support of the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), Medair is ensuring that vulnerable mothers not only receive essential medical care—but also the tools, knowledge, and support they need to raise their families in dignity and safety.

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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