This episode opens a critical conversation on the reality of collective shelters in Lebanon and their alignment with basic human rights standards. As nearly one million people have been displaced since the escalation in March 2026, many families have been forced to seek refuge in temporary shelters. But a key question remains: are these spaces truly safe? In this episode of Enmaeya Studio, Fadi Hashim, lawyer and human rights researcher, sheds light on the challenges inside shelters, where uncertainty, overcrowding, and limited resources shape daily life.
The discussion explores how vulnerable groups are being affected the most. Families are facing severe economic hardship, while women encounter restrictions, safety concerns, and a lack of privacy. At the same time, children remain highly exposed to long-term risks, especially as access to education is disrupted, with hundreds of schools now used as shelters.
The episode also highlights gaps in coordination and response, raising important questions about protection, dignity, and the minimum standards that should be guaranteed during crises. Drawing on field insights and recent data, the conversation outlines urgent priorities, including reducing overcrowding, expanding shelter capacity, improving infrastructure and healthcare services, ensuring safe spaces for women and girls, and strengthening protection mechanisms alongside mental health and vaccination support. As displacement continues, this episode underscores the need for a more inclusive, rights-based humanitarian response that ensures no one is left behind.
