The escalating war between Israel and Hamas has cast a long shadow over Lebanon, bringing with it a wave of displacement and despair. Among those most affected are migrant workers, particularly those from Sierra Leone, who are struggling to survive in a country already reeling from a devastating economic crisis.
One such individual is Fajima Kamara, a 28-year-old domestic worker who lost both her job and home in Baalbek after Israeli airstrikes ravaged her neighborhood. Her Lebanese employers, fearful of the escalating conflict, fled to Dubai, leaving Kamara with nothing but the clothes on her back. She was instructed to seek refuge with other African women in Beirut, but even there, shelters were overflowing, primarily catering to Lebanese nationals. Desperate and alone, Kamara found herself sleeping on the streets, battling illness and uncertainty.
The dire situation of Kamara reflects the plight of thousands of migrant workers in Lebanon, many of whom are women employed as domestic helpers. They are often left vulnerable and abandoned by their employers during times of crisis, facing homelessness and hardship. The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the fate of these workers, highlighting the urgent need for support and assistance.
In response to the growing crisis, a group of Lebanese volunteers established a shelter on October 1st to provide temporary refuge to displaced migrant workers. While the shelter offers a much-needed haven, its capacity is limited, and the future remains uncertain for those seeking a safe haven. Some workers, like Kamara, hope to find new jobs to avoid returning to their home countries penniless, while others yearn to return to their families but lack the necessary travel documents.
The conflict in Lebanon has also intensified the struggle for Palestinian refugees, who have been living in the country’s dozen refugee camps since the 1948 war. These camps have historically been off-limits to the Lebanese army, with security left to Palestinian factions. However, the recent escalation has brought renewed danger and hardship to those living within the camps.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group fighting Israel in Gaza, has reported the death of one of its members, Muhammad Hussein al-Lawis, in an Israeli airstrike in the Saadnayel area of Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa region. The group has also announced the deaths of at least 20 of its militants in Lebanon since the war began, highlighting the increasing danger posed by Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas officials.
As the conflict rages on, the plight of migrant workers and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon grows more desperate. The international community must respond to their urgent need for support, providing humanitarian aid and creating pathways for those seeking safety and a brighter future. The world cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of those caught in the crossfire of this devastating war.
