Displaced Mothers in Lebanon Face Challenges Amid Ongoing Conflict

Since the resurgence of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, 2026, over a million people have been displaced in Lebanon. Among them are pregnant women and new mothers facing severe challenges in accessing healthcare. Hawraa Houmani, a 29-year-old woman who fled her village near Nabatieh while nine months pregnant, exemplifies the struggles many are enduring. After being turned away from a Beirut hospital for a pre-delivery check-up, she eventually gave birth to her son, Ali, on March 11, in a shelter where multiple families share limited facilities.

ReutersMothers Face Challenges Raising Newborns During Israel’s Lebanon Offensive

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that there are approximately 13,500 displaced pregnant women in Lebanon, with an estimated 1,500 expected to give birth within the next month. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted access to essential healthcare services, leaving many mothers like Houmani without adequate medical support. In the shelter, she expressed concerns about cleanliness and the health of her newborn, who has already shown signs of illness.

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Midwife Ahlam Sayegh, also displaced from Nabatieh, is providing psychological support to these women but acknowledges the lack of necessary resources to address their practical needs. “We are giving support, but at the same time most of that support is mainly psychological,” she stated, highlighting the dire situation faced by many families.

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Sarah Shahla, another displaced mother, was five months pregnant when the conflict began. Now living in a shelter, she has opened a small stand selling candy and snacks to support her family. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her future, she remains hopeful about returning home before giving birth. “Of course, I hope that she comes into a life better than this one,” Shahla said, expressing her desire for stability and safety for her child.

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The plight of displaced mothers and their newborns underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Lebanon. As the conflict continues, the challenges faced by these families highlight the human cost of war and the critical importance of providing adequate healthcare and support to those affected.

Mothers Face Challenges Raising Newborns During Israel’s Lebanon Offensive

The UNFPA has emphasized the need for immediate humanitarian aid to address the health and safety of displaced pregnant women and new mothers. The organization is working to mobilize resources to ensure that essential medical care reaches those in need.

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While the UNFPA provides estimates on the number of displaced pregnant women, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the overall impact of the conflict on maternal health services in Lebanon. Reports vary on the availability of medical care, with some sources indicating significant disruptions while others suggest limited but ongoing support.

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• “I had prepared myself physically and mentally for that doctor, for her to be the one delivering,” — Hawraa Houmani, Displaced Mother

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• “Right now, I feel great about them, but the joy is incomplete.” — Sabah Marji, Grandmother

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• “We are giving support, but at the same time most of that support is mainly psychological support - support by telling them what they should do, when the necessities required to put that into practice on the ground are not reaching them,” — Ahlam Sayegh, Midwife

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• “Of course, I hope that she comes into a life better than this one, that she comes into a life with stability, safety, a family atmosphere, a sense of home, all of these things.” — Sarah Shahla, Displaced Mother

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