Beirut, Lebanon – Volunteers at Nation Station, a communal kitchen in the Geitawi neighborhood, work tirelessly to prepare meals for shelters housing people displaced by Israeli bombardment. In the midst of chaos, the volunteers maintain a sense of camaraderie, with one volunteer celebrating the preparation of fifty meals to cheers from the group.
As the Israeli attacks intensify, the number of displaced people in Lebanon surges to one million, leaving the country in a state of crisis. With schools-turned-shelters and a scarcity of resources, initiatives like Nation Station play a crucial role in filling the gaps left by the government and international organizations.
Picking up the slack
Founded in response to the 2020 explosion, Nation Station now provides 700 portions of food daily for the displaced, relying on volunteers to meet the growing demand. In another part of Beirut, social media influencers mobilize a group of students to pack aid boxes for distribution to those in need across the country.
‘We’re all the same’
Despite the challenges, the outpouring of support from ordinary citizens like Zoey Zein and Jad Jaafar exemplifies the resilience and unity of the Lebanese people in times of crisis. Together, they strive to provide aid to thousands of displaced individuals, embodying the spirit of solidarity and compassion.