Lebanon's Children Cancer Patients Struggle Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Carol Zeghayer, 9, second right, a girl who suffers from leukaemia, attends with a volunteer who offers her a compassionate care and entertainment session ahead of her treatment at the Children's Canc

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, children battling cancer are facing immense challenges accessing treatment and coping with the realities of war.

One such child is a 9-year-old girl named Carol, who relies on weekly trips to a children's cancer center in Beirut for her treatment. However, due to the conflict, the journey that used to take 90 minutes now takes up to three hours on dangerous mountainous roads to avoid heavy bombardment.

Families struggle with illness and war, fearing disruptions to crucial treatments.

Children like Carol face longer, dangerous journeys for cancer treatment.

The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon works to ensure uninterrupted care for patients.

Families, like Mohammad's, face multiple relocations due to airstrikes, losing security.

Syrian refugee Asinat faces cancer treatment challenges amidst Lebanon's conflict.

Despite turmoil, children find joy at the cancer center with friends.

Staff provide care and support, navigating war complexities for young patients.

Lebanon's conflict highlights resilience and strength in children battling cancer.

Access to cancer treatment is hindered by economic collapse and previous crises.

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon poses challenges for children battling cancer.

Many families, like Carol's, are grappling with the dual hardships of illness and war. Carol's mother, Sindus Hamra, expresses her fears that the conflict may disrupt her daughter's chemotherapy, which is crucial to prevent the spread of cancer.

The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon has been working tirelessly to ensure that treatments remain uninterrupted for all patients, even those who have been displaced due to the conflict. The center has faced challenges in securing funds amidst the economic collapse and devastation caused by previous crises in Lebanon.

For families like Mohammad Mousawi's, who have been forced to relocate multiple times due to Israeli airstrikes, the war has shattered their sense of security and stability. Mohammad's mother, Suzan Mousawi, shares the heart-wrenching story of how their dreams have been overshadowed by the constant threat of losing their home.

Another young patient, Asinat Al Lahham, a Syrian refugee, highlights the harsh reality of fleeing one war only to face another. Asinat's family, unable to return to Syria, grapples with the challenges of her cancer treatment amidst the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

Despite the turmoil and uncertainty, these children find moments of respite and joy in the company of their friends at the cancer center. The staff and medical professionals at the center continue to provide care and support, navigating through the complexities of war to ensure that these young patients receive the treatment they desperately need.

As Lebanon continues to be engulfed in conflict, the plight of children battling cancer serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength displayed in the face of adversity.