“You can’t pour from an empty cup. As social workers, we must prioritize our own well-being to support others effectively,” said Rasha Abou Kharoub, a social worker with the UN Women partner organization INITIATE.
In late September, the conflict escalated just as Abou Kharoub’s 14-year-old son required urgent surgery on his leg after nine months of treatment. While they should have been preparing for surgery, her family was instead forced to flee from their home in South Lebanon to Beirut—and even in that relative safety, they continued to face steep challenges.
“After just one night in a rented apartment, the neighbours complained about us being displaced from the South and asked us to leave,” she said. Abou Kharoub’s family found temporary lodging in another area of Beirut, where they stayed long enough for her son to undergo surgery, but then they were forced to relocate two more times, eventually settling with her displaced in-laws in the village of Debbieh.
“During these multiple displacements, balancing my family’s needs with my professional commitments required meticulous planning and prioritization,” she said. Nonetheless, Abou Kharoub continued her social work, providing mental health support to those in need.
“Displaced individuals commonly experience fear, anxiety, stress and insecurity,” she said. “Families often struggle with effective communication, and the strain of displacement can lead to misunderstandings and isolation.”
While the work, coupled with her family’s needs, can be challenging, Abou Kharoub said it can also be a source of inspiration and motivation.
“Reliving others’ pain often amplifies my own, but it also fosters a sense of shared resilience,” she said. “Helping others gives my struggles meaning and purpose.”