How HelpAge network members are supporting older people in Lebanon

Published

The escalation of hostilities in Lebanon forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, adding to years of economic hardship and pressure on essential services. Older people have been among those most affected, often struggling to access healthcare, medication and support.

Through HelpAge global network members Amel Association International and Idraac, older people and their caregivers are receiving home-based care, psychosocial support, assistive devices and anticipatory support that helps identify people’s needs before crises escalate. Their stories show how trusted local organisations are helping older people prepare for emergencies, cope with displacement and rebuild their lives.

Reaching people before crisis escalates

When fighting escalated in southern Lebanon in March 2026, Abeer, 59, lost her home in Saida and was forced to flee with her daughter. But she already knew where to turn for help.

Before the crisis, Abeer had attended psychosocial support sessions and visited Amel Association International’s primary healthcare centre, where her daughter received treatment. Through these activities, she built a trusted relationship with the organisation.

As part of its anticipatory action work, Amel contacted older people before the conflict intensified to understand their circumstances and identify who might need support if the situation worsened.

When renewed fighting forced Abeer to leave her home, Amel was able to respond quickly with a family hygiene kit for her and her daughter because that connection was already in place. Now in safety, Abeer says knowing she has someone to rely on has given her hope for the future.

Watch Abeer's story

“One day, Amel Association contacted me. I was so happy and relieved. It felt like someone finally cared. For the first time, I felt that if I needed something, there was someone I could turn to.”
Abeer, 59

Supporting caregivers

Kulthum, 58, lives in Saida in southern Lebanon, where she cares for her children and her older brother, who lives with a disability. As the conflict intensified, the responsibility of caring for her family became increasingly difficult.

Through its anticipatory action programme, Amel Association International contacted Kulthum before the crisis escalated to understand her family’s needs. Because her brother was already receiving care at Amel’s primary healthcare centre, the team was able to quickly provide hygiene and cleaning supplies when fighting intensified.

The support didn’t end there. Through regular contact and home visits, Amel continued to help Kulthum care for her brother and gave her practical advice on preparing for future emergencies.

Watch Kulthum's story

“The support I received gave me peace of mind. I no longer felt as frightened or alone as before. Knowing that there was someone I could reach out to made life much easier.”
Kulthum, 58

Mariam's story from Lebanon

Bringing care to older people at home

In Saida, southern Lebanon, Mariam cares for her mother-in-law, who cannot leave home because of her health needs. As conflict and economic hardship made everyday life more difficult, accessing medication and other essential supplies became an ongoing challenge.

Through regular home visits and preparedness calls, Amel Association International monitored her mother-in-law’s health, delivered medication and essential supplies, and provided assistive equipment, including a specialised chair and an air mattress, directly to the family’s home.

For Mariam, the support eased the pressures of caregiving. For her mother-in-law, the regular visits offered practical assistance and the reassurance that she had not been forgotten.

Just knowing that there are people thinking about you means a lot. Even if someone cannot help you directly, simply feeling that someone cares and is thinking about you brings joy and comfort to your heart.

Mariam

Living with loss and illness

Naifa, 63, was displaced from her home in Kfar Kila, a town near Lebanon’s border with Israel, after conflict forced her and her husband to flee. When they returned following the November 2024 ceasefire, they found their home destroyed. Soon afterwards, Naifa was diagnosed with cancer, adding to the challenges they were already facing.

Through Amel Association International, Naifa received ongoing medical, psychosocial and material support to help her cope with both her illness and the impact of displacement.

Through Amel, Naifa was identified as someone at risk and received ongoing medical, psychosocial and material support.

The support helped ease some of the emotional and practical burdens she faced while undergoing treatment and caring for her husband.

Today, Amel continues to support Naifa and her husband as they rebuild their lives.

They are the ones who saved me. I was in a terrible state. The psychological support and the assistance helped me tremendously. I stopped constantly worrying.

Naifa, 63

Mr Jihad Saiid And His Wife, Lebanon

Restoring connection

Supporting older people also means helping them stay connected to their families and communities.

Jihad Saiid and his wife had lived with hearing loss for more than 20 years, making everyday conversations difficult and leaving them increasingly isolated from family, friends and neighbours. Through a hearing aid initiative run by Idraac with support from HelpAge, they each received hearing aids that transformed their daily lives.

After decades of struggling to communicate, they told the team they had “fallen in love all over again”. They can now enjoy conversations together and take part in community life with confidence.

For Jihad and his wife, the hearing aids did more than restore their hearing – they restored connection, independence and hope.

Supporting older people through the global network

These stories from Lebanon show the important role local organisations play in supporting older people before, during and after crises. As members of the HelpAge global network, organisations such as Amel Association International and Idraac bring local knowledge, trusted relationships and specialist expertise that help older people access the support they need. Together, network members across 99 countries are working to advance older people’s rights and ensure they can live with dignity, safety and independence. Learn more about the HelpAge global network.