Ethiopian migrant domestic workers in Lebanon are facing a dual crisis, as Israeli air strikes target their neighborhoods while discrimination due to the color of their skin prevents them from finding shelter. Soreti, a domestic worker, describes the attacks as a massacre, with many children suffering from nightmares. The majority of migrant workers in Lebanon are Ethiopian, and they face systemic abuse under the kafala system, which Amnesty International has likened to modern-day slavery. Many have been left homeless due to the conflict, with embassies in Lebanon providing little support for repatriation.
The ongoing financial crisis in Lebanon, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, has left migrant workers even more vulnerable, with many losing their jobs. As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, migrant workers find themselves excluded from shelters and facing discrimination from Lebanese authorities. African migrant-run organizations are stepping in to provide shelter and support, but resources are limited.
Tsigereda Birhanu, a humanitarian worker, highlights the challenges faced by displaced Africans in Lebanon, including anxiety and worsening health conditions due to the air strikes. With winter approaching, the need for food, medicine, and clothing for displaced individuals is growing. While major humanitarian agencies have done little to help, small organizations like Egna Legna Besidet are working to provide support to vulnerable migrant workers.
Despite the challenges they face, migrant workers like Soreti, Sandrine, and Selina continue to struggle for survival in Lebanon, where they are often treated as second-class citizens. The international community must step up to provide support and protection for these vulnerable populations during this time of crisis.
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