Between War and Solidarity

Between War and Solidarity

Fear, displaced people, and hospitality at the Salesian house in El-Houssoun

(ANS - El-Houssoun, Lebanon – March 26, 2026) – On the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, Fr. Simon Zakerian, provincial of the Middle East Province, issued a statement providing an update on the situation in Lebanon and the Salesians’ efforts to welcome displaced persons.

The ongoing war

The war between the Israeli armed forces and the Hezbollah group continues to affect life profoundly in Lebanon, exacerbating an already fragile situation and hitting the civilian population hard. The country is currently facing a humanitarian crisis of vast proportions, while the conflict is affecting not only the infrastructure but also the social and psychological fabric of the population.

During a press conference in Beirut, Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine spoke openly of an emergency: since the start of the Israeli attacks, over a million people have been forced to leave their homes. Of these, around 126,000 have found refuge in 589 collective centers, while many others have been taken in by relatives or religious communities. Meanwhile, the minister for social affairs, Haneen Sayed, reported that hundreds of thousands of citizens have registered on the ministry’s websites to receive assistance. According to Lebanese authorities, as of March 24, the death toll has reached 1,072, including at least 94 children, while the number of injured stands at more than 2,876. From March 2 until today, the ordeal in the Land of the Cedars continues!

Beirut and the south under attack

The hardest-hit areas remain Beirut – particularly the southern suburbs and the Dahiyah district – along with numerous villages in the south of the country. The bombardments have damaged homes, schools and businesses, forcing thousands of families to live in conditions of constant fear and precariousness.

Among the most tragic incidents was the death of Maronite priest Pierre Al Rai, who was killed while trying to rescue people affected by a bombing. Pope Leo XIV chose to commemorate him by highlighting the significance of his surname, “Rai,” which in Arabic means “shepherd”: an image that aptly describes his choice to remain alongside the faithful until the very end, “like a true shepherd with his flock.”

Psychological warfare

Alongside the physical destruction, the conflict is generating a profound psychological crisis. Schools are operating intermittently, many economic activities have ground to a halt, and the future appears increasingly uncertain. Young people, in particular, express weariness and disillusionment: every attempt to return to a normal life – resuming studies, finding work, starting a family – is continually interrupted by new escalations of violence.

A crisis affecting the entire region

The war does not concern Lebanon alone. The country is home to numerous refugees from Syria and Iraq, many of whom had already fled previous conflicts. In the last 10 days, according to various estimates, over 110,000 Syrians have left Lebanon to return to Syria in an attempt to escape the bombardments. The Iraqi community, concentrated mainly in Beirut, is also once again living in a state of severe insecurity.

Children and families under pressure

Explosions punctuate daily life, often at night but sometimes even in broad daylight. Children, teachers, and families are among those most exposed to the strain of this constant tension. Although no injuries have been reported among those involved in educational and community activities, the need for human, educational, and psychological support is growing.

The Salesian house in El-Houssoun: a refuge in the storm

In this dramatic context, some organizations continue to offer practical help. Among these, the Salesian house in El-Houssoun, situated in a secluded area of Mount Lebanon, represents an important point of reference. Since its opening in 1957, the facility has welcomed people fleeing the war.

During the Lebanese civil war, the building was occupied by militiamen and turned into a training center, yet it remained a refuge for numerous displaced people, some of whom stayed there even after the conflict ended. Returning to Salesian management in 1986, the house reopened its doors on several occasions: in 1989, 1990, 2006, 2024, and once again now, in 2026.

Welcoming without distinction

Over the years, the reception has become increasingly organized. Thanks to collaboration with Salesian institutions and international organizations, the support offered includes not only accommodation, but also the distribution of food, clothing, medicines, healthcare, and psychological support.

Particular attention is paid to young people, thru educational and recreational activities designed to help them process the trauma of war. Since the beginning of March, the house has been hosting 116 people from southern Lebanon, mostly Shi’a Muslim families. Many of them had already been welcomed during the conflict in the autumn of 2024 and have returned, remembering the positive experience they had.

Zeinab, aged 11, recounts with simplicity and hope: “Altho the war forced us to leave our village, here, in Don Bosco’s house, I feel safe and at ease. I missed this place so much. Who knows, if it were possible, it would be wonderful to have a house like this back home too, close to our land and our people.”

Her words powerfully express just how precious it is to offer not only a refuge, but a place that can restore a sense of family and dignity.

Signs of hope

Amid the violence, solidarity continues to represent a concrete sign of hope. Religious communities, educators and social workers are working to support the most vulnerable, offering material aid and human closeness.

A gesture of concern also came from the apostolic nuncio, Abp. Paolo Borgia, who visited several villages in southern Lebanon to support the affected communities, bringing practical aid and words of encouragement.

For the Salesians and their lay partners in Lebanon, particularly in the community of El-Houssoun, welcoming the displaced is first and foremost a choice of faith, inspired by the Gospel: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” In a context marked by war, the simple gesture of opening a door thus becomes a concrete form of resistance to violence and an act of trust in the possibility of a peaceful future.

On the feast of the Annunciation, a prayer of hope is raised: to ask for Mary’s intercession so that an announcement of peace, reconciliation, and the end of the war may soon come – a desire shared by a people weary, yet still capable of believing in a different tomorrow.