“I came from Beirut to northern Lebanon on a motorcycle, I don’t know when my contractions will start or how I will get to the hospital”

The beginning of the growing conflict in Lebanon has already left more than 4,000 Palestine refugees displaced from different affected areas in the country. Many of them, including those displaced from camps located in Beirut, Beqaa and southern Lebanon, are now receiving medical care in 12 UNRWA health centers in operationthe United Nations Agency for the Refugee Population of Palestine.

Fadwa Mizyana, a 51-year-old Palestinian refugee, was displaced several days ago from Qasmieh in southern Lebanon to the Nahr El-Bared camp in the north, which is considered a safer place, away from the targets of Israeli forces. . Fadwa escaped the dangerous situation in the south with her husband, mother and sisters. They couldn’t take it anymore. “I suffer from diabetes and hypertension. “I can’t survive without taking my medications.”

Fadwa had to leave southern Lebanon and move to a safer area where she could access medical care and get her medicines. “All pharmacies, some hospitals and all UNRWA health centers had to close in southern Lebanon. I used to receive care at a UNRWA health clinic in Qasmieh, but now I am treated at another health center in Nahr El-Bared. “I fear we will never be able to return to our normal homes and lives.”

Despite everything happening in the affected areas, UNRWA staff have made the necessary efforts to respond to the needs of refugees who were unable to leave these areas. Medicines have been distributed for patients with chronic diseases in the Rashidieh camp, southern Lebanon, through a vehicle parked near the mobile health points in the camp. The plan was to do the same in the Burj El-Shemali camp, south of Lebanon, but unfortunately, due to the situation there, the staff could not arrive.

Emerging public health risks pose additional challenges for healthcare workers and displaced refugees. Fortunately, there has been no outbreak of infectious diseases among displaced refugees so far. However, recently, WHO issued a warning after detecting the first case of cholera highly contagious in northern Lebanon, which has raised serious concerns about people displaced by the bombings and the risks posed by this disease.

Among the Palestinian refugees most affected today are pregnant women, who fear giving birth in the midst of this chaotic situation. Aya Mousa, Palestinian refugee from Syriahas been living in Lebanon for almost a decade.

She is a mother of two children and is currently in her third trimester of pregnancy. “We had to leave the Burj El-Barajneh camp on September 23 for fear of being trapped in the camp.” Aya explains that the only functioning Palestinian Red Crescent hospital in the camp and the UNRWA health clinic have closed due to the situation and the growing conflict. Aya now resides in northern Lebanon, where she continues her pregnancy with a midwife at the UNRWA health clinic and receives all the necessary supplements. “Due to the current situation, my husband and I cannot afford enough food or vitamins. We survive on what we receive from UNRWA. I am not getting enough nutrients, which is seriously affecting my baby and putting me at risk for premature birth. I came from Beirut to northern Lebanon with my husband and two children on a single motorcycle. “I don’t know when my contractions will start or how I will get to the hospital if the ambulance can’t get to the camp in time.” Fortunately, Aya would not have to cover the costs if she gives birth naturally at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society hospital, as UNRWA covers 100% of childbirth expensessupporting the health of mother and baby.

Despite the difficulties caused by the ongoing conflict, UNRWA’s attempts to provide medical care reflect the urgent needs of Palestinian refugees who have been displaced from their homes to safer areas. Although quick actions —medicine distribution and emergency hospitalizations— have helped reduce certain health concerns, the situation remains unstable, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and pregnant women.

Given the unpredictability of violence and the imminent spread of diseases such as cholera, there is an immediate need for long-term solutions and continued international support. For thousands of Palestinian refugees, their existence depends on the provision of humanitarian aid.