Displaced individuals in Lebanon are resorting to sleeping on city streets as rising living costs render housing unaffordable. According to Matthieu Karam, editor and photographer at L’Orient-Le Jour, the worsening economic crisis has pushed many families into extreme hardship. The situation is compounded by growing public distrust toward those sleeping outdoors, with some fearing that members of Hezbollah may be hiding among them. This climate of suspicion adds to the vulnerability of already struggling populations.
The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has been described as “catastrophic” by Karam, especially amid ongoing threats of renewed Israeli military action. These developments have heightened fears and instability across the country, making daily survival increasingly difficult for displaced people and residents alike. With limited access to shelter and essential services, conditions continue to deteriorate, leaving thousands without safe refuge.