Saadeddine lives in a Palestinian camp in southern Lebanon with his daughter and her 3 children. Health issues mean providing for the family is a struggle for the 67-year-old.

Previously a taxi driver, Saadeddine is now unemployed after developing severe dryness in his eyes. Despite trying other ways to earn a living, including setting up a small kiosk, Saadeddine’s health condition has made it impossible for him to keep working.

“I have been forced to rely on the generosity of others, often begging for money to meet our basic needs,” he says.

A relative has offered to cover the cost of surgery that will help Saadeddine regain some self-sufficiency and improve his quality of life, but as he waits for the operation, life remains challenging for him and his family.

“Lately, everything has lost its meaning for me, including Eid al-Adha. The joy and significance that this special occasion once held has been overshadowed by the overwhelming challenges I face daily.

“The constant struggle to secure basic necessities, coupled with the ongoing health and financial difficulties, has drained the spirit of celebration and hope. Even during a time meant for happiness and togetherness, I find it hard to experience the true essence of Eid al-Adha amid the hardships.

Meat has become a rare luxury

Lebanon has been weathering a years-long economic crisis, made worse by sharp escalations in violence from neighbouring Israel since October 2023. The violence has prompted a huge displacement crisis in Lebanon.

For many families, like Saadeddine’s, price increases are making it difficult to afford even basic items, let alone nutritious ingredients for healthy meals.

“Meat is not a regular part of my diet because I simply cannot afford it… I rarely have the opportunity to eat meat unless it is provided by humanitarian organisations,” he says.

“My financial situation forces me to purchase only the most basic, low-cost food items….without a fixed income, managing daily expenses is a constant struggle. This situation has forced me to make tough choices about what I can afford to eat, often having to forgo essential and nutritious food.”

Saadeddine knows the lack of such food has affected his health, noting an almost 30kg weight loss and symptoms of malnutrition.

Amid this hardship, Saadeddine received a food pack from Islamic Relief’s qurbani distribution. His family was one of more than 4,000 in Lebanon to receive qurbani meat packs from Islamic Relief in 2024.

Saadeddine says this support was “crucial,” in giving his family their first taste of meat in a long time.

“It brings a sense of relief and gratitude, knowing that we can finally enjoy a meal that includes meat, something that was once a regular part of our lives but has become a rare luxury due to our financial constraints,” he says.

“Thank you and may Allah bless you. We need your support, keep distributing assistance to let us survive from this bad economic situation.”

With so much demand for support, Islamic Relief’s team in Lebanon focused on ensuring the most vulnerable are included in distributions. This includes elderly people, like Sadeddine, as well as female-headed households, internally displaced people, refugees and others living below the poverty line.

Please help us to reach even more families in need this year. Donate to our qurbani campaign now.