The ongoing Syrian conflict has driven millions to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, with Lebanon alone hosting over a million Syrians displaced by war and conflict.
Although many until recently found a degree of security in southern Lebanon, despite significant hardships, escalating violence and economic collapse, has forced tens of thousands of Syrian families to face the dilemma of either staying amid increasing dangers in Lebanon or return to a homeland still characterised by war.
When Israeli airstrikes hit Saida in southern Lebanon, Rahaf, a 26-year-old mother of five, faced a heart-wrenching decision. Should she stay and risk her children’s lives, or return to Syria, where the devastation of ongoing conflict was still very real? Fearing for her children’s safety, she chose the latter.
Returning to Syria was an exhausting and perilous journey. With her 6-year-old daughter, Souad, who suffers from cerebral atrophy, Rahaf travelled a long and tiring journey, partly by car and partly on foot, carrying her daughter through difficult terrain. Her story echoes the suffering of more than 50,000 people, according to OCHA, who have fled Lebanon into Northeast Syria in the month since Israeli airstrikes began on 23 September, only to find themselves back in a country still at war and struggling to recover.
“We fled Syria to escape war, seeking refuge in another country, now we’re fleeing again because of war.
The journey back was filled with heartache, especially as Rahaf had to leave behind what little
stability her family had found in Lebanon. Her husband could not join them, as he feared being
conscripted upon reaching the border. Now, Rahaf and her children have arrived at Al-Assadia
informal settlement (IS) in Ar-Raqqa, where they share a tent with her mother-in-law, who
never left Syria.
“We fled Syria to escape war, seeking refuge in another country, now we’re fleeing again because of war. We left with only what we could carry,” Rahaf recalls, her voice heavy with emotions.
Struggling to Survive in Al-Assadia
Rahaf and her children now endure harsh living conditions in the informal settlement Al-Assadia, sharing a tent with another family. The shelter is overcrowded, and as winter approaches, they have no means to insulate their dwelling against the colder temperatures that often fall below freezing. Also, last year’s extreme weather brought floods to the settlement, compounding the already difficult living conditions.
“Life in Lebanon was safer, but that’s no longer true. Here, life is harsh, and we are coming back to yet another conflict,” laments Rahaf.
Daily survival remains a challenge, with inconsistent access to food, clean water, and medical care. The scarcity of resources places a heavy burden on families, particularly children and the elderly, who are most vulnerable to the harsh conditions.
Addressing immediate needs
DCA is working to support new arrivals, distributing tents as emergency temporary shelter solutions in settlements like Al-Assadia. While these efforts provide some relief, they are far from sufficient to meet the increasing needs. With winter looming, immediate support is essential for families like Rahaf’s.
“We escaped war not once, but twice,” Rahaf says, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “Now, we just want a chance to survive and a future for our children.”
The challenges the family face are far from over, and Rahaf’s story is a reminder of the urgent need for increased humanitarian support in Northeast and throughout Syria. Without immediate assistance, many families in Al-Assadia and other informal settlements will face life-threatening conditions this winter.
For Rahaf, the future remains uncertain, but her determination to protect her children remains her priority. As NGOs call on donors to fund efforts to provide the Syrian returnees with food and shelter, there is still hope that the families will receive the emergency aid they need to withstand the difficult months ahead.
