Sobhia, 73, lives with her daughter, 2 sons and 6 grandchildren. The family are among the more than 1 million Syrian refugees living in Lebanon.
The income her sons provide from working as day labourers is not enough to make ends meet, especially as Lebanon’s currency fluctuates amid a prolonged economic crisis.
Sobhia’s brother helps the family out when he can, but he is also struggling.
“We struggle to afford enough food, and most of what we eat is basic, such as bread, rice and vegetables when we can find them cheap,” Sobhia says from the family’s home – a small tent in the coastal town of Jiyeh.
“It’s very difficult [to buy meat] especially with [other] essential needs like baby formula, nappies and rent – all of these things are more important than having meat on the table.
“Everything is getting more expensive and it’s hard to keep up… Despite these challenges, we try our best to manage with the limited resources available to us.
“We rely on lentils as cheap protein to get as much of the nutrients we need as we can,” Sobhia says, adding: “I often feel weak and tired because I don’t get enough protein or iron. My children also get sick more often and I worry they’re not growing properly.”
Filling tables, lifting spirits
Sobhia and her family are among the more than 38,200 people throughout Lebanon who received a qurbani meat parcel last year thanks to your donations.
In 2025, Islamic Relief’s annual qurbani distribution reached more than 3.2 million people in 29 countries, easing the burden on vulnerable families, supporting their nutrition and sharing the joy of Eid.
“Eid al-Adha means a lot to me,” Sobhia says. “It’s a time of faith, sacrifice and family. It reminds us of the story of the Prophet Ibrahim and the importance of giving. But, in recent years, it’s become harder to feel the full joy of the holiday because we can’t afford to celebrate like before. We can’t buy new clothes or prepare special meals.
“That’s why receiving a meal pack means so much, because it allows us to at least enjoy a proper meal on Eid and feel included in the celebration. It brings happiness to our home, even if just for a day.
“The children especially were so excited to eat meat. It is something we rarely have now. It allowed us to prepare a proper meal and feel like we were part of the Eid celebration, just like everyone else. For a few days, we didn’t have to worry about what to cook or how to afford it. It also gave us a feeling of being remembered and supported, which means more than words can express.
“Sometimes we feel forgotten, especially during holidays when we can’t afford to celebrate like others. But when support like this comes, it gives us hope and reminds us that there are kind people who care.
“Your help doesn’t just fill our table; it lifts our spirits. May God bless everyone who contributed and made this possible.”
Another Eid amid crisis
In 2026, many families in Lebanon are suffering amid a massive escalation in violence in the Middle East. After more than 7 weeks of bombardment – including the deadliest day of bombing Lebanon had seen in many years – a fragile 10-day ceasefire was agreed in mid April.
Prior to this, more than 1 million people were forced to flee their homes amid the violence and an Israeli evacuation order over the country’s south as well as parts of the capital, Beirut. Health facilities are under intense strain, grappling with power shortages, supply gaps and overworked staff. Ambulance routes are frequently blocked by debris and damaged roads, causing delays in lifesaving assistance. Even before the latest wave of mass displacement, nearly 874,000 people in Lebanon were classed as food insecure.
Fulfil your qurbani this Eid. Give generously to our Qurbani Appeal to help us reach even more families like Sobhia’s in Lebanon and beyond.
