(ANS – Beirut, April 29, 2026) – The crisis in the Middle East continues to worsen despite the ceasefire declared in Lebanon. Bombings in southern Lebanon, rising prices, and a lack of jobs are placing thousands of families in difficult conditions. Against this backdrop, the Salesians are continuing their work to assist more than 100 displaced people at the El Hossoun center and are strengthening their commitment to education by providing scholarships and aid so that children, especially girls and young people, can continue their studies and maintain hope amid the war.

The crisis in the Middle East remains severe, particularly in Lebanon, where the ceasefire is fragile and has not completely stopped the violence. “Bombings continue to be reported in the south of the country, and more than 50 localities have received evacuation orders, causing further displacement,” explain the Salesians working in Lebanon.

In the early stages of the recent escalation of violence alone, at least 30,000 people sought refuge in centers such as the Salesians’ facility in El Hossoun, while many others were forced to flee without resources, settling with family or friends or in abandoned buildings. This situation adds to years of accumulated crises that have deeply weakened the country.

The humanitarian emergency is closely linked to a structural economic crisis. Since 2019, the Lebanese economy has contracted by more than 38 percent, one of the most severe declines globally. Inflation and currency devaluation have driven commodity prices sharply higher, leaving a large portion of the population without access to food, healthcare, or education. Currently, around 44% of the population lives in poverty, and many families are forced to make extreme decisions such as reducing food consumption, taking on debt, or withdrawing their children from school.

Displaced Families: Living on the Bare Minimum in Extreme Conditions

At the Don Bosco center in El Hossoun, the Salesians are welcoming displaced families into spaces set up as shelters. Currently, more than 100 people are living in makeshift facilities with very limited resources under emergency conditions.

Many of these families have been displaced multiple times, have lost their homes, and arrive with only the bare essentials. Furthermore, “these are people who have nowhere to return to. Some displaced people have tried to return to their homes, but most have been destroyed. So they will likely remain with us for a long time,” the Salesians add.

Fear, Trauma, and Psychosocial Support

Beyond basic needs, the war leaves a deep emotional impact. Salesian teams working in this emergency are assisting children and adults experiencing high levels of fear, anxiety, and stress.

“Many children struggle to express their emotions, experiencing crying episodes and constant fear after living through situations of violence,” say the Salesians in Lebanon. Through activities such as play, drawing, and individual support, teams work to help them regain emotional stability.

They also organize group sessions and create safe spaces for women and minors, addressing anxiety, trauma, and even postnatal depression in highly vulnerable conditions.

The crisis is also having a direct impact on education: schools have been closed for many weeks, and many educational facilities have been damaged or are now housing displaced people. In addition, the economic crisis means that many families cannot afford to educate their children, leading to rising school dropout rates.

Responses Looking to the Future

Misiones Salesianas, together with the Salesians, continues to adapt its response to this prolonged crisis by combining immediate humanitarian aid with sustainable initiatives. Food, shelter, education, and emotional support are part of a comprehensive approach that seeks not only to respond to the emergency but also to provide opportunities for the future.

In the crisis affecting the Middle East, the presence of the Salesians remains a sign of hope for thousands of people striving each day to persevere in one of the most challenging contexts in the world.

Source: Misiones Salesianas