At dusk, the parking lot of Tripoli’s Quality Inn is filled with cars and families, evoking memories of happier times when the hotel hosted celebrations. Currently, the hotel serves as a major shelter for displaced Lebanese fleeing Israeli bombings in the southern region of the country.
Families now occupy the lot, sitting on patches of grass with worried expressions, while children play in a drained swimming pool. One displaced individual, Hassan al-Aaker, expressed a sense of luck for being with his family, despite uncertainty about the condition of their home near Tyre.
Displacement in Lebanon is widespread, with many families setting up makeshift tents along the Beirut corniche and in city parks. The Lebanese government has postponed the school year and designated 1,000 schools as shelters, according to Ivo Freijsen, the Lebanon representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Tourist hotels are also accommodating displaced families who can afford them.
According to the United Nations and Lebanese authorities, over one million people have been displaced from their homes due to the bombings, out of a population of approximately six million, which includes two million Syrian refugees. Humanitarian workers have noted the unprecedented speed of displacement, with over one million people uprooted in just one week.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that nearly 700,000 people have been displaced since last October, with only 186,000 finding collective shelter. Many others are staying with relatives or in rented accommodations. Additionally, nearly 400,000 individuals have left Lebanon recently, with a significant number crossing into Syria.
Despite Lebanon's history of sectarian tensions, volunteers from diverse backgrounds have come together to assist the displaced. In Beirut, the Skybar nightclub has been repurposed to provide shelter and support for families, while local parks have transformed into outdoor kitchens serving thousands of meals daily.
Humanitarian organizations have expressed concern over the overwhelming number of displaced individuals and the sustainability of volunteer efforts, especially as winter approaches. The ongoing conflict continues to displace more people, with many lacking a support network or resources for safe accommodation.
Recent bombings in the Bekaa region have raised alarms, particularly due to its significance as a farming area. The displacement of Shiite populations from southern Lebanon into Sunni and Christian communities has also sparked fears of potential sectarian friction, although, so far, communities have responded with solidarity.
In Tripoli, the mayor noted the welcoming response to displaced individuals, with thousands arriving in the city center. The Quality Inn has become a refuge for many, where volunteers provide essential supplies and support.
However, not all displaced families are as fortunate. The al-Ali family, for instance, found themselves in a deteriorating school building after fleeing their home in Ain Qana. The father, Mohammed al-Ali, recounted the emotional toll of leaving behind their newly built home, expressing a deep desire for peace and a return to normalcy.
As the conflict continues, many displaced families share a common hope for an end to the war and a return to their homes and communities.