The latest conflict has displaced thousands of families, each with their own unique and heartbreaking stories. Mohammed, an 8-year-old boy with autism, is one of many stories. On September 20, 2024, his family was forced to flee their home in Al-Qaim neighborhood in Dahye (Beirut Southern Suburb) following an airstrike. One of the first in the area that caught many residents by surprise.

Within 30 minutes, Mohammed’s life turned into a nightmare.  

His family, fearing further escalation, quickly left for safety, but Mohammed, who relies on a specific routine and stability, found this disruption unbearable. Mohammed was suddenly thrown into a world that felt completely unfamiliar, sleeping in a strange bed without his favorite toy, and with new clothes that felt strange against his skin.  

"Living with other displaced families in a shared home has been overwhelming. Many don’t understand how to treat a child with autism, and that lack of understanding only adds to Mohammed’s struggles—and our pain as parents," says Souad, Mohammed’s Mother.

Everywhere he turned, there were unfamiliar faces and loud noises. Every night, Mohammed cried and screamed, begging to return to his house, while his parents, already fearful and exhausted, struggled to comfort him. Over two months later, Mohammed’s suffering hasn’t eased, he still cannot sleep, begging his parents to go back home. "Sometimes, Mohammed’s screaming or crying frustrates the others in the house, and we were left with no choice but to spend hours in the streets. It’s exhausting for him, and overwhelming for us as parents,” says Bassem, Mohammed’s father.

But with the continuous shelling and destruction of their neighborhood in Dahye, his parents were not sure whether there is even a home left to return to.  

Mohammed is one of many children with disabilities who were forced to flee their houses due to the conflict in Lebanon. With the ceasefire now in effect, there is hope that his journey back to the comfort of his home will bring some relief.

UNDP is scaling up its efforts to support all those affected by the conflict. In partnership with the government, UNDP is working to ensure safe access to homes while also securing services, jobs, and access to financing for livelihoods with consideration to households that include people with disabilities.