In the words of Sarah Salloum: “We either leave together or stay together”

Amid the devastating conflict, Sarah Salloum, a 36-year-old head nurse at the Al-Najda Al Chaabiya Hospital in Habboush, southern Lebanon, transformed her workplace into both a sanctuary for her family and a vital lifeline for the injured. Alongside her husband, who leads the emergency department, she made the heartfelt decision to keep their two daughters, aged 6 and 10, close by as they navigated the chaos.

“In the midst of the devastating conflict, I was forced to make an extremely difficult decision: to transform our workplace into a home for my family. My husband and I chose to stay with our children, alongside the patients and the injured. I did my best to provide a sense of safety and reassurance, but it was incredibly challenging.

These days are among the most difficult I had ever endured. Before the conflict began, I had prepared my children psychologically for what might come, assuring them that they would be safe if we needed to move to the hospital. I never wanted to distance myself from them. I wanted us to share the same fate. We either leave together or stay together. The decision to keep them by my side was agonizing.

Their fear was profound. They cried at every sound of an airstrike. They were confined inside the hospital day and night, often alone, wish is one of the worst things that can happen to a child. Even though I was reassured that they were with me. I often felt guilty. I was deeply worried about their well-being.

One day I was with my youngest daughter in front of the emergency building when the sound of airstrikes grew more intense. The scene was terrifying. The centre of Nabatieh looked like a giant ball of fire. My daughter turned to me with anxiety in her eyes and asked: ‘Did everyone die?’ It shattered my heart. It made me realize just how deeply the uncertainty of this conflict affects them.

During this period, working conditions changed dramatically. The situation was unrecognizable from what it had been before the conflict. Many nurses fled in search of safety, while the hospital was overwhelmed by an influx of critically injured patients. The number of casualties was staggering. Every sound of gunfire meant more victims. We had no time to rest or sleep.

At the time, we didn’t feel fear, but when the gunfire stopped, that feeling began to emerge. Even now, we are still trying to piece ourselves back together, rethinking our priorities as we search for a hopeful future for ourselves and our children. As the head of the nursing department, my role is about more than just health care. It involves leadership and community engagement. For the past three years, I have worked tirelessly alongside civil society groups and local municipalities to empower women in their community. We believe in the innate strength of women to overcome challenges. Now is the time for women to reclaim their power and take an active role in shaping a better future.

Our collective efforts are already making a difference. When I first assumed my leadership role at the hospital, I faced resistance from some male colleagues who were skeptical about a woman leading the department. However, through continuous dialogue and dedication, we have made significant steps towards greater acceptance and collaboration. I firmly believe that promoting gender equality and enhancing women's leadership roles are vital steps towards building sustainable peace, especially in a region that has faced so much conflict.”