By: Zogie Lington
Lebanon’s ongoing crisis, worsened by recent bombings, has left many people vulnerable and in desperate, dire need of assistance. Among the most affected are Sierra Leonean domestic workers who, after traveling to Lebanon seeking employment and better opportunities, have now found themselves abandoned by their employers and displaced due to the recent violence. These workers are enduring severe hardships, with no homes, no jobs, and little to no access to basic necessities.
Ishatu, one of the many stranded workers, spoke with Concord Times and shared her harrowing story with us. She, along with 40 plus other Sierra Leonean women, is sleeping in a single, overcrowded room. She expressed that they have no food to eat, no proper space to sleep, and have often endured sleepless nights due to their extreme circumstances. At times, these women have been forced to sleep on beaches and the streets when they couldn’t find a roof over their heads, leaving them vulnerable to danger. Their days are filled with uncertainty and anxiety. The situation is unbearable. Cut off from any form of assistance, they have no access to proper shelter, food or medical care.
Many of these women left Sierra Leone with the promise of a steady income to support their families but due to the recent bombings, their circumstances drastically changed. Employers, facing their own challenges, have abandoned these workers, leaving them with no place to live, no income, and no means to access basic necessities.Without legal status or family support in Lebanon, these workers are particularly vulnerable. With nowhere to turn, they rely on the kindness of strangers and whatever shelter they can find. Some of these workers have sent out desperate messages and videos documenting the conditions they are enduring, hoping someone will help them.
Ishatu’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and how those on the margins are often the first to be forgotten. For many like Ishatu, the future seems hopeless. The border restrictions and economic hardships mean that returning to Sierra Leone is almost impossible without external help.
In response to this urgent need, a fundraising campaign has been launched to provide immediate relief to these women stranded in Lebanon. The funds raised will go directly to supplying these workers with basic essentials such as food, water and medical supplies. I am in direct contact with these workers, receiving updates about their dire situation and will ensure that all donations are used effectively and transparently. Every donor will be kept informed of how their contribution is making an impact on their lives.
The Sierra Leonean domestic workers in Lebanon have unfortunately been forgotten by the system and are left at the mercy of the crisis. Many of them have sacrificed so much to provide for themselves and their families, only to be left stranded in a foreign land with no visible way to escape the violence around them.
Please consider helping today. With your support, we can bring hope and relief to these women, who have already endured so much.
