Lebanon: LGBT+ people fleeing violence left without safety
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People fleeing violence in Lebanon are being denied safe shelter and care. Call for equal access to shelter and care now.

A person forced to flee their home should be able to find safety, a bed, and basic care.

In Lebanon, people escaping airstrikes and violence are searching for shelter. Some sleep in cars. Others crowd into schools and public buildings, hoping for food and rest.

But some people are still being shut out.

People who do not fit into a “traditional family” – including LGBT+ people, survivors of domestic violence, migrant workers, and people without supportive family networks – are being turned away, harassed, or left without support. Many state collective shelters rely on a narrow “traditional family” model, which excludes people who arrive alone, with chosen family, or outside conventional family structures.

This is not new. During the previous war, many in these same groups were unable to access shelters, faced harassment or violence, struggled to get medical and psychological care, or stayed away out of fear of being judged or exposed.

This is a violation of basic human rights.

Every person has the right to safety, shelter, and equal treatment under the law – especially in times of crisis. 

Lebanon’s emergency response has a duty to protect everyone. When emergency plans are built around a narrow idea of who deserves protection, they put lives at risk and deepen suffering.

There is a real opportunity to fix this now. Some ministers and public officials working with international partners have shown openness to improving humanitarian standards and protecting vulnerable people during crises. With public pressure, shelters can be made safer and accessible to everyone.

In times of conflict, the duty to protect human dignity becomes even more urgent. 

Lebanese authorities and international organizations still have the power to act. They can ensure shelters are safe for everyone, train staff to prevent abuse, and include organizations with experience supporting vulnerable people.

People who have already lost their homes should not lose their dignity as well.

Sign now to call for an emergency response that protects every person – without exception.

 

 

0people have signed
Goal: 10,000

To Lebanese Government, the Disaster Risk Management Unit, and international organizations coordinating the emergency response in Lebanon.:

As violence and displacement continue across Lebanon, thousands of people are being forced from their homes in search of safety, shelter, and care.

In these moments, the responsibility of the state and its partners is clear: to protect every person equally, without discrimination, and to ensure that no one is left behind.

Evidence from past and current responses shows that some displaced people – including LGBT+ individuals and others who do not fit into traditional family structures – face barriers in accessing shelters and essential services. Reports describe people being turned away, exposed to harassment, or avoiding shelters altogether out of fear for their safety.

This raises serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to safety, the right to adequate shelter, access to health care, and equal treatment under the law.

Emergency situations do not justify unequal treatment. On the contrary, they require stronger safeguards to ensure that all people can access protection with dignity.

We call on you to:

• Ensure that all shelters and emergency services are accessible to everyone, without discrimination.

• Provide training for staff to prevent harassment, violence, and exclusion.

• Review shelter policies so that individuals are not excluded based on family status or social norms.

• Work closely with civil society organizations that have expertise in supporting vulnerable groups, including LGBT+ people.

• Establish clear monitoring and accountability mechanisms to prevent and address abuse.

These steps are practical, achievable, and consistent with Lebanon’s responsibility to uphold human dignity and equal protection for all people within its territory.

We urge you to act without delay to ensure that every person displaced by this conflict can access safety and support.

 

 

Campaign started by Helem
0people have signed
Goal: 10,000
Campaign started by Helem

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