In the words of Rasha Abou Kharoub: “I find solace in supporting others”

Dedicated to helping vulnerable communities, Rasha Abou Kharoub is a social worker with INITIATE, a UN Women partner organization on a project providing emergency livelihoods and protection for women in South Lebanon, supported by the Austrian Development Agency. She shares her own struggle with displacement amid the recent escalation of the conflict which intensified end of September 2024 (before a ceasefire agreement took effect on November 27. 2024)  and how she has remained strong and committed to her family, community and work.

“During the escalation of the war, my elder son, who was 14 years old at the time, urgently needed surgery to remove an external fixator from his leg after nine months of treatment. The procedure was crucial for him to regain his ability to walk and avoid long-term disability. However, the timing of the surgery coincided with immense instability and displacement, adding layers of difficulty to an already challenging situation.

Forced to flee our home in South Lebanon, we relocated to Beirut for the surgery. Yet, after just one night in a rented apartment, the neighbours complained about us being displaced from the South and asked us to leave. We found temporary refuge with a relative in another area Beirut, allowing my son to undergo his surgery and begin his recovery.

Afterwards, we moved to Mount Lebanon, where we stayed for three weeks. The area was remote, and the high cost of rent made it unsustainable. Eventually, we relocated to Debbieh, in the Chouf district, joining my displaced in-laws.

During these multiple displacements, balancing my family’s needs with my professional commitments required meticulous planning and prioritization. I created a structured to-do list and tackled one task at a time. When I was with my family, I was fully present for them. And when I was with the communities, I gave them my all.

I continue to provide mental health support to cash-for-work beneficiaries, under the same project, even after their formal engagement with INITIATE had ended.

I also took training from a psychologist to enhance my capacity to train others and deliver awareness sessions effectively. This training was invaluable. It equipped me with tools to navigate my emotions while guiding others. I learned to listen without absorbing too much of the pain and to guide people towards hope.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. As social workers, we must prioritize our own well-being to support others effectively.

Displaced individuals commonly experience fear, anxiety, stress and insecurity. Families often struggle with effective communication, and the strain of displacement can lead to misunderstandings and isolation.

Through awareness sessions, I address these challenges by teaching stress management, emotional expression and grounding techniques. We create a safe space for participants to share their experiences. Sometimes, just being heard can make all the difference.”

Finding Strength in Helping Others

Despite her own challenges, Rasha finds solace in supporting others. “This work has been both a source of strength and a challenge,” she admits. “Reliving others’ pain often amplifies my own, but it also fosters a sense of shared resilience. Helping others gives my struggles meaning and purpose.”

One particularly experience I had was with a young mother, eight months pregnant, who was overwhelmed by displacement. One day, she left her children and spent hours in a taxi, unable to cope. Because of the trust we had built, she answered my call. I listened patiently, letting her express her pain without judgment. After practicing calming techniques together, the woman calmed down, returned to her family, and began rebuilding her life. She later became a source of hope for others, bringing joy and positivity to the shelter.

I find solace in supporting others. This work has been both a source of strength and a challenge. Reliving others’ pain often amplifies my own, but it also fosters a sense of shared resilience. Helping others gives my struggles meaning and purpose.”