Israel-Lebanon Conflict: Amid displacement, Lebanese cling to 'hope of returning home to rebuild'

Summary

Jean-Emile Jammine is pleased to welcome Christopher Rassi, IFRC Chief of Staff and Under Secretary General for People and Strategy. He offers a rare on-the-ground perspective from southern Lebanon, to reveal the harrowing realities of the humanitarian crisis. He presents a compelling paradox: while ceasefires and pilot return zones might seem promising, recovery is not simply about returning people to their homes, but about rebuilding dignity, restoring public services, addressing invisible psychological wounds, and sustaining international solidarity over the long term. Rassi argues that resilience depends as much on sustained commitment, protection of humanitarian workers, and community trust as it does on immediate relief.