Sudanese mothers who escaped the civil war in their homeland are once again facing displacement and hardship as renewed conflict engulfs Lebanon. Many had sought refuge in Lebanon after their homes in Sudan were destroyed and families were lost.

Rufaida, a 28-year-old mother from Sudan, described her harrowing experience, stating, “I lost my home twice.” She fled Sudan a year ago after conflict destroyed her family home and killed her father. Now, she and her husband Mohammad, along with their two-month-old son Ahmad, are seeking shelter in the courtyard of Saint Joseph Church in Beirut, a makeshift camp for approximately 250 displaced migrant workers.

The church compound has become a refuge for a diverse group, primarily Sudanese, but also including individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries. Amidst the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which began on March 2, an estimated 1.5 million people have been internally displaced within Lebanon. This includes a significant portion of the country's large migrant worker population, who are often among the most vulnerable.

Rufaida’s husband, Mohammad, had already lived in Lebanon for eight years before they were reunited and fled Sudan. Their journey to safety in Lebanon was fraught with the dangers of war, and they had hoped for a more stable future. However, the escalating violence in Lebanon has dashed those hopes, forcing them to confront a new reality of displacement and uncertainty.

The conditions at the church are basic, with families sharing dormitory-style accommodations and relying on limited resources. Rufaida expressed the immense stress of their situation, particularly the challenge of caring for a young baby amidst constant anxiety. “The baby is crying a lot. I don’t sleep. He wakes everyone up, so I leave the dormitory and come walking outside so no one is disturbed,” she said.

Despite the exhaustion and fear, Rufaida finds a measure of solace in her son. “Every time I am stressed, I look at the baby and he gives me some relief. I can forget about the war for a second,” she shared, highlighting the resilience of maternal love even in the direst circumstances.

This situation underscores the precarious position of refugees and displaced persons, who can become trapped in cycles of conflict and displacement. Many of these individuals had already endured immense trauma in their home countries and now face similar challenges in their host countries, often with limited access to support systems and humanitarian aid.

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of all displaced populations, particularly vulnerable groups like mothers and children. Their plight highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, protection, and durable solutions for those caught between multiple crises.