From emergency to stability

“My son, Abdel Malek, is in good health now,” says Yousra.

In the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, nutrition support helped Yousra protect her children’s health and learn new ways to care for them, even in extremely difficult conditions. With support from the Government of Canada through the Humanitarian Coalition, Action Against Hunger provided Yousra with targeted nutrition support and practical guidance, helping her meet the urgent needs of her young children.

But that support came after a harrowing journey.

In the fall of 2024, violence escalated sharply in Lebanon. More than 4,000 civilians were killed, more than 16,000 injured, and more than 800,000 people were forced to flee their homes – the largest displacement the country has seen since the Lebanon War of 2006. Many families sought refuge in Mount Lebanon Governorate, where needs quickly outpaced available support.

Yousra was among those displaced. She left her home in Laylaki with her three-year-old son, Abdel Hadi, and five-month-old baby, Kamel. “Our life changed overnight,” she said. “We were very scared and left as soon as possible.”

Arriving in Hadath at midnight, Yousra and her children found refuge in an unfinished building – no walls, no doors, cracked floors, and little protection from the elements. “My baby was sick,” she said. “I had no milk, diapers, or medicine for him.”

In the aftermath of the crisis, keeping children healthy became a top priority. Action Against Hunger offered essential services, including Mid-Upper Arm Circumference screenings to identify children and mothers at risk of acute malnutrition and micronutrient powder to prevent nutritional deficiencies in small children.

Yousra also took part in infant and young child feeding counselling sessions, which focused on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and early childhood development. “I learned so much about feeding my baby and keeping him healthy, even in such difficult times,” she said.

Now living under a fragile ceasefire, Yousra remains focused on caring for her children and hopes to build a safer future for them. “We are still scared,” she says. “But I dream of rebuilding our life and giving my children the stability they deserve.”

Yousra’s story is one of resilience, made possible through timely support that protected her children’s health.

As Lebanon faces ongoing instability, she remains determined to rebuild her family’s future.