LocationsBy Marwa Elhajj - Digital Content Associate - UNDP Lebanon | Photos by Rana Sweidan- UNDP Lebanon
In the blink of an eye, entire neighbourhoods of Tyre emptied. Families fled, leaving behind homes, businesses, and memories - lives shattered by violence. For 13 months, Tyre, one of the world’s oldest cities, endured relentless destruction. Buildings crumbled, streets emptied, and hope seemed distant. Yet, amidst the devastation, a few remained.
Civil defence teams risked their lives, pulling survivors from the rubble with bare hands and unwavering courage. “We never give up when it comes to saving lives,” says Ali Safieddine, Head of Civil Defence in Tyre.
To support their mission, UNDP and UNIFIL peacekeepers provided essential rescue equipment and uniforms, allowing them to continue their life-saving work. “You are our second hand. We cannot perform our missions without your support,” says Safieddine.
Journey home
When the ceasefire took effect, families returned to ruins. Some found their homes still standing but unlivable. Others found nothing at all.
Municipalities, already struggling with limited resources, have been working tirelessly to restore basic services. Tyre currently receives only a fraction of its needed water supply. In Sidiqin, a nearby town, electricity is still non-existent. Along the border, villages are so heavily damaged that residents barely recognize what remains of their homes.
Yet, the people refuse to give up.
Rebuilding lives
In Tyre’s Abou Deeb Market, activity is everywhere. Shops reopen, people search for work, and the city hums with determination. Freshly renovated storefronts stand beside the rubble, a testament to the determination of those who refuse to give up. “We lost everything we worked for our whole lives. But we will recover and come back stronger,” says a shop owner standing amid the ruins of his former business.
To help those who lost their livelihoods, UNDP has partnered with the Tyre Union of Municipalities to create short-term employment opportunities for displaced people. "Without this job, I wouldn't have had the means to support my family," says one worker benefiting from the programme.
Global efforts for recovery
The Lebanese people are determined to recover, but they cannot do it alone.
“What UNDP is trying to do is help the government and local authorities lead the recovery. We are trying to support people in ways that restore dignity,” says Haoliang Xu, UNDP Associate Administrator, during a visit to Tyre to meet local leaders, first responders, and those benefiting from emergency employment programmes.
With the support of international partners, UNDP is working to restore essential services, rebuild infrastructure, and support communities affected by the crisis across Lebanon. As well as strengthening local crisis management and providing emergency employment, recovery efforts include clearing rubble, restoring solid waste management, rehabilitating key infrastructure, supporting mine action, and building capacity within security services.
The recovery plan also focuses on supporting small businesses, which form the backbone of the Lebanese economy, and reviving agriculture to ensure food security and long-term sustainability.
New chapter for Lebanon
The road to recovery is long, but the strength and determination of the Lebanese people remain unshaken. In the face of overwhelming loss, they continue to rebuild. “Despite the scale of destruction, I have witnessed remarkable strength and determination,” says Xu.
Tyre, once the heart of the ancient Phoenician civilization, has always been a city of endurance. Like the mythical phoenix that rose from the ashes, its people are forging a path forward—not just to restore what was lost, but to build something stronger.
With continued international support, Tyre and its surrounding communities will rise again, not only reclaiming their past but shaping a future where hope outlasts hardship, and where the spirit of Lebanon endures for generations to come.
