Inhabited Border Villages in Southern Lebanon Remain Isolated as Residents Struggle to Access Water and Essential Services

Located only a few kilometres from the southern borders, these communities found themselves trapped throughout the war, cut off from essential services, while facing severe limitations on their ability to move safely and access basic necessities.

While most residents of the border areas were forcibly displaced following Israeli evacuation orders, these villages remained inhabited. Families stayed behind despite Israeli attacks, widespread destruction, and damage to civilian infrastructure. “Residents described living in a state of uncertainty, with emergency medical referrals delayed for days and access to healthcare, markets, and essential services severely restricted,” says Guilherme Botelho, MSF Emergency Coordinator. ​

Despite the insecurity and severe movement controls imposed on the area, MSF teams were able to gain access to Rmeich, Debel, and Ain Ebel on two separate occasions to assess humanitarian needs and better understand the challenges that communities face. The journey itself revealed the devastating impact of the war.

“Along the route, we witnessed damaged roads, destroyed infrastructure, and extensive signs of destruction resulting from Israeli military operations. Months of attacks and restrictions have left these communities largely isolated, forcing thousands of residents to navigate daily life with limited access to healthcare, water, and other essential services,” adds Botelho.

One of the most urgent concerns identified by MSF teams was access to water.

Across the three villages, water infrastructure has been damaged or rendered inoperable. In Debel, the main municipal water source is in an area that residents can no longer safely access, while the water pump, solar system, and supply network have all sustained damage. Most families now depend on expensive water trucking to meet their daily needs.

In Ain Ebel, the village's primary borehole is no longer functioning, further exacerbating water scarcity. In Rmeich, only one of two boreholes remains operational, while damaged equipment threatens the continuity of supply. Communities repeatedly expressed their fears that access to water could deteriorate even further if repairs cannot be carried out safely.

“The destruction and disruption of water infrastructure have had serious consequences for civilians. Families are paying increasingly high costs to secure water, while vulnerable groups—including displaced people, elderly, and refugees—face additional barriers to meeting their basic needs,” says Yara Thebian, Deputy Project Coordinator.

Beyond water, MSF teams identified growing humanitarian concerns linked to limited healthcare access, increasing mental health needs, rising living costs, and deteriorating living conditions. Communities reported high levels of anxiety and stress after months of insecurity and isolation, while local health structures continue to operate under significant constraints.

Access to emergency and hospital care remains a critical concern. The three villages rely largely on local primary healthcare services, while access to secondary and tertiary care is severely restricted by movement controls. Patients requiring urgent hospitalization or specialist care have faced delays of up to 72 hours or more while awaiting authorization for medical referrals. Local healthcare workers reported cases in which delayed transfers had life-threatening consequences, underscoring the urgent need for timely access to emergency medical care and functioning referral pathways.

MSF distributed hygiene kits, flour, diapers, dignity items, and other essential relief supplies to vulnerable households. Medical and first-aid materials were provided to local health facilities and emergency responders to strengthen their ability to respond to community needs.

During the visit, MSF teams conducted health, environmental health, and community assessments across the three villages to better understand existing needs and identify priorities for support. The findings highlight the devastating humanitarian consequences of attacks and restrictions that have affected civilian infrastructure and essential services. Access to water, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance remains a critical concern for communities living along Lebanon's southern border.

For the people of Rmeich, Debel, and Ain Ebel, who remain trapped by conflict and movement restrictions, access to water and emergency medical care is a matter of survival. Delays in accessing these essential services can have life-threatening consequences.