Shafaq News/ Thousands of Lebanesedisplaced to Iraq are suffering, as reflected in the experience of a mother whotraveled to Najaf to give birth after Lebanon's hospitals became overwhelmedwith casualties, according to a Reuters report titled “With hospitals full inLebanon, family flees to give birth in Iraq.”
Lubana Ismail had just fled hervillage in southern Lebanon with her husband, Fouad Youssef, and their twochildren when she went into labor. She had swollen veins in her uterus andrequired immediate medical supervision to give birth safely. They searched fora hospital in Beirut or Sidon, but all were filled with the dead and wounded.
"No hospital accepted me. Wewere turned away everywhere until my father suggested we go to Iraq," sherecounted.
They boarded a flight to Najaf, aShi'ite pilgrimage city and former war zone located 1,000 km (600 miles) fromhome, where Lubana finally gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Zahraa.
The proud father, Fouad, describedthe perilous journey: "At first, we went to Tyre, but a strike hitdirectly next to us. We decided to go to Beirut, thinking it would be safer,but even on the way, a strike hit near us.” He added, "During our two daysof displacement, I tried to get my wife into a hospital because her labor wasdifficult. But due to the high number of injuries and martyrs, there were novacancies."
Over a million Lebanese have lefttheir homes since Israel escalated its airstrikes and initiated a groundcampaign in southern Lebanon against the Hezbollah movement, which has beentargeting Israel in support of the Palestinians. Imran Riza, the UNhumanitarian coordinator, noted that the pace of displacement since September23 has exceeded worst-case scenarios, causing significant damage to civilianinfrastructure.
Najaf, a city that welcomes millionsof Shi'ite pilgrims each year, is experienced in addressing the emergencymedical needs of foreigners, as Iraqis have faced nearly two decades of war athome. However, the influx of refugees from Lebanon is unexpected, with Iraq'sinterior ministry reporting that approximately 5,700 Lebanese have arrived sofar.
While Lubana and Fouad are gratefulfor a safe place to welcome their daughter, they are uncertain about thefuture. "We are afraid the war will go on for a long time. What willhappen to our children? We were preparing them for school, but now there is noeducation. Are we going to stay here? Are we leaving? Are we going back to ourcountry?" Youssef pondered as he watched the destruction in Lebanon on hismobile screen.
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