Salesians in Lebanon are providing education and psychosocial support to displaced families as war, poverty, and repeated displacement deepen a protracted crisis.

“Bombings continue in the south of the country, and more than 50 localities have received evacuation orders, causing further displacement,” Salesians working in the country said.

The latest escalation adds to years of economic collapse that have left much of the population struggling to meet basic needs. 

Since 2019, Lebanon’s economy has contracted by more than 38 per cent, while inflation and currency devaluation have driven up the cost of essential goods. About 44 per cent of the population now lives in poverty, forcing many families to reduce food intake, take on debt, or withdraw children from school.

At the Don Bosco Center in El Hossoun, the Salesians are sheltering more than 100 displaced people in makeshift conditions with limited resources. Many families have been displaced multiple times and have lost their homes.

“These are people who have nowhere to return. Some displaced people have tried to return to their homes, but most have been destroyed. So, they will likely be with us for a long time,” the Salesians said.

The crisis has severely disrupted education, with schools closed for weeks and some facilities damaged by bombings or used as shelters. Financial strain has also left many families unable to afford schooling, increasing the risk of dropouts.

In response, the Salesians are strengthening educational support through scholarships and assistance programs to help children and young people continue their studies and maintain stability.

Alongside education, they are addressing the psychological impact of war, particularly among children and women. “Many boys and girls have difficulty expressing their emotions, experiencing crying fits and constant fear after experiencing violence,” the Salesians said.

Through activities such as play, drawing, and individual support, staff aim to help children regain emotional stability. Group sessions and safe spaces have also been created for women and children, addressing anxiety, trauma, and postpartum depression in highly vulnerable conditions.

ANS reported that the Salesians’ response combines emergency assistance with longer-term support, including food, shelter, education, and emotional care, as displaced families struggle to rebuild their lives amid one of the region’s most severe crises.