As the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon continues amid ongoing conflict, local initiatives are stepping forward to meet urgent yet frequently overlooked needs. Sorbé, founded by Nour Arida, has installed showers and toilets for women and girls displaced by the war, with logistical support from Anera and the Lebanese Red Cross.
While emergency responses often focus on food, shelter and medical aid, access to safe and private sanitation remains essential. For women and girls living in displacement, the ability to shower and use secure toilets is not simply a matter of hygiene – it is closely tied to dignity, privacy and personal safety. In conflict settings, inadequate sanitation facilities can increase vulnerability and strip away a basic sense of normalcy at a time when daily life has already been profoundly disrupted.
By installing dedicated facilities, Sorbé’s initiative aims to ease part of that burden. In environments shaped by uncertainty and fear, small but meaningful interventions can have a powerful impact on wellbeing and self-worth.
“It breaks my heart seeing how women and young girls are victims of wars created by men,” says Arida. “Through this initiative I wanted to raise awareness on the importance of women having some sort of dignity, personal hygiene and a sense of comfort amidst the nightmare they are living in.”
The project reflects Arida’s continued commitment to supporting women through practical action. By addressing a simple yet critical need, Sorbé not only improves daily living conditions for displaced women and girls, but also highlights the importance of embedding dignity into every layer of humanitarian response – and the collective responsibility to protect society’s most vulnerable.
