This year Ramadan in Lebanon feels different for thousands of families who have lost loved ones in the recent war, had their homes reduced to rubble and are facing considerable hardships, financially, psychologically and socially
Ramadan in southern Lebanon is unfolding under exceptional hardships, as the ongoing Israeli war has brought widespread destruction, further exacerbating the struggles of residents already burdened by the country’s economic instability and harsh living conditions.
“Ramadan feels very different from previous years because we are mourning our loved martyrs who sacrificed their blood for us to be here on this land,” said Abou Mahdi, a carpenter from South Lebanon to NOW.
“On top of this pain, we are experiencing very bad conditions, we are settled outside of our homes waiting for rebuilding to happen, and the prices of everything keep going up, especially since Ramadan approached.” Abou Mahdi explained.
Many individuals are now dependent on charities and religious organisations for essential food packages, as they struggle to meet their most basic needs. With livelihoods disrupted and resources scarce, these aid distributions have become a lifeline for many families.
At the same time, a deep sense of uncertainty looms over their future. In border villages, where homes have been reduced to rubble, residents are left questioning not only how they will survive the present but also what will become of their lives and communities in the long run and if Ramadan will ever be the same as it used to be.
“We had received financial help twice since we came back, the amount was to cover temporary rent but nothing else, how do we go by our daily lives and expenses, we have bills to pay, we have children who require a lot, we hope to receive some more help for the holy month,” said a school bus driver from Baalbeck, whose apartment was completely destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on the city last November, speaking to NOW.
The post-war trauma
For over a year, residents of southern border villages have been living through a grim reality, one where the familiar call to Maghrib prayer and the traditional Iftar cannon have been replaced by the deafening sounds of shelling and explosions.
The destruction has been relentless, leaving entire communities in ruins. Many mosques have been reduced to rubble by Israeli airstrikes, stripping residents of spaces for worship and communal gatherings during the holy month.
Adding to the devastation, hundreds of lives have been lost in the recent war, deepening the grief of families who are now struggling to observe Ramadan amid loss, displacement, and destruction.
Practical challenges and soaring prices
In several border villages, Israeli airstrikes have destroyed homes and infrastructure altogether, cutting off some communities from surrounding areas. This has made access to food and medical supplies even more difficult, and even when goods are available in local grocery shops, prices have significantly soared.
As Iftar approaches, many families gather around modest meals, far from the once-festive Ramadan gatherings that brought family members together in an atmosphere of spiritual warmth.
Beyond the security threats and post-war destruction, residents of southern Lebanon are also battling economic hardships, with the cost of basic Ramadan necessities reaching record highs.
Food prices have skyrocketed, meat and poultry costs have surged by over 60 per cent, while prices of vegetables and grains have increased by more than 40 per cent compared to last year. Staples such as cooking oil, sugar, flour, and rice have become unaffordable for many families as the war has also disrupted supply chains, making it difficult for merchants to stock their shelves.
Transportation between villages and central markets has slowed significantly, leading to shortages and further price hikes.
In border regions, the crisis is even more severe. The scarcity of supplies and delays in food shipments have driven prices to exorbitant levels, prompting many residents to stockpile essential goods.
Adding to the crisis, essential services have deteriorated, with widespread power outages making daily life even more difficult.
“Our voices are not being heard enough. We urge those in power to come and witness the reality of our daily lives,” said Jaber, a private nurse from South Lebanon who is now unemployed, as most of his clients have either relocated or fled the country. “Even those who have managed to return to homes with partial or minor damage are facing immense hardship. The destruction around them has made life unbearable.”
According to Jaber, the services around them are almost nonexistent because so much has been destroyed.
Access to clean water is a daily battle, electricity is unreliable, and essential healthcare is nearly impossible to find, as most local clinics and pharmacies have been destroyed.
Some individuals have received help to cover some of the damages in their homes based on the estimation done by the experts from Hezbollah who were conducting the surveys but this has not happened for everyone whose home has been affected.
Despite these challenges, local communities are finding ways to support one another. Some residents are distributing Iftar meals to families in need, while charitable organizations are launching food aid campaigns to ease the suffering of those most affected.
Lebanon’s largest Ramadan lantern was recently installed in the war-torn market of Nabatieh, serving as a symbol of resilience and hope. However, as the community welcomes the holy month, their celebrations are overshadowed by deep sorrow.
The efforts to distribute iftar meals remain insufficient in the face of the overwhelming crisis. Many humanitarian organizations are struggling with funding shortages and logistical hurdles, particularly as military escalation continues and key roads remain blocked.
In these circumstances, Ramadan has become a challenging month for the people of southern Lebanon, who are enduring relentless hardship amid the fires of war and the pressures of daily life.
Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462
The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.
