As the war in Lebanon casts a shadow of devastation for millions of people across the country, community-led initiatives and local efforts are testament to the surviving solidarity and hope among Lebanese society.

In the heart of Beirut, one such initiative is providing a lifeline for people housed in the Al Azarieh building—once a bustling commercial centre, now a shelter for more than 2,500 people who have been displaced by Israeli bombardments and incursions.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is supporting the implementation of a kitchen project that is providing free meals for people here, launched by local NGO, Ahla Fawda, and restaurant, Barzakh.

“We started from scratch,” explains Khodor Al Akhdar, Barzakh’s operational manager. “Since the beginning of the war and the influx of displaced people [to this area], we have worked closely with Ahla Fawda to provide food. This project aims not only to provide meals but to also supply ingredients, while training the people living here in Al Azarieh to prepare and cook the meals themselves, with a focus on food safety and hygiene.”