![Lebanon in Times of Crisis: Citizen Resilience, International Solidarity, and the Challenges of Disinformation
In times of crisis, states naturally rely on the resilience of their citizens and the solidarity of the international community. Just as individuals turn to friends in difficult moments, and companies seek partners during uncertainty, Lebanon has received over $12 billion in international aid since 2019. This support has enabled hospitals to function, children to access education, and food and clean water to reach families in need, saving the most vulnerable lives.
Of course, this aid is not without challenges: coordination gaps, transparency concerns, and unequal distribution of resources exist. However, focusing solely on these shortcomings has created space for disinformation, which diminishes the significance of aid, undermines the intentions of donors, and weakens trust at a time when Lebanon needs unity more than ever. As President Michel Aoun highlighted in his inaugural vision:
"My commitment is to open Lebanon to both worlds, East and West, to build alliances and strengthen Lebanon’s external relations [...] to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and its freedom of decision-making."
In this spirit, international support, despite its imperfections, remains essential, and we cannot allow disinformation to undermine it.
Disinformation poses not only an internal threat but also affects Lebanon’s social fabric and foreign relations. Humanitarian aid is increasingly portrayed as foreign interference, raising doubts between Lebanon and its allies. This undermines trust and risks isolating the country from partners stepping in during crises. As experts note:
"We create dreams and bring them to life, and regardless of our differences, in times of crisis we support each other, because if one of us falls, we all fall."
Countering disinformation is crucial to protecting internal unity and the credibility of partnerships. As individuals, we have a responsibility to pause, verify, and ask questions before sharing information.
One example is the fake organization International Organization for Human Rights and Refugee Affairs, which claimed in Aleppo that it had signed a $10 million aid agreement. It used stolen UN logos, manipulated images, and staged media reports. Its real goal was never to provide aid but to create the appearance of legitimacy for the Assad regime and undermine trust in real international assistance. Effective disinformation blurs the line between truth and falsehood, causing people to doubt reality and take opposing sides. Lebanon’s strength lies in unity and resilience, and protecting that unity means exposing lies before they create divisions.
Disinformation does not always take the form of fake news—it can also appear as fake honors or false titles. The same fraudulent organization once appointed a Syrian artist as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Women, using a title that appeared international but had no UN documentation. Such staged recognitions and media tricks aim to inflate false credibility, divert attention from real humanitarian aid, and confuse public opinion. Lebanon is undergoing a governance crisis that requires a shift in political perception to maintain security. Disinformation thrives where government fails, making its detection and exposure critical for Lebanon’s future.
Another wave of disinformation concerned aid from the United Arab Emirates, falsely claiming that aid shipments were “equipped with spyware” intended for surveillance rather than support. Posts and memes used fear-inducing language and manipulated images of aid boxes to suggest that even food and medicine were tools of espionage. This turns solidarity into suspicion, undermines trust in humanitarian partners, and distances Lebanon from its allies. In reality, such rumors deepen divisions and risk isolating the country at a time when cooperation and external support are essential for survival. As experts remind us:
"Our unity guarantees our security, and our diversity enriches our experience." There is no security without unity.
For years, Poland has supported Lebanon not only with words but also through long-term humanitarian programs that bring real change:
Polish Aid (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – Lebanon has been a priority country since 2018. Projects include solar-powered clinics, school modernization, safe playgrounds, and psychosocial support in collaboration with UN-Habitat and local partners.
Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) – the only Polish NGO registered in Lebanon, operating since 2012. PCPM runs mobile and stationary clinics in northern Lebanon, supporting both Syrian refugees and Lebanese families.
Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) – present since the Beirut explosion in 2020. PAH’s GLOW Center empowers women and youth through training in robotics, solar energy, and digital skills. In 2024 alone, over 1,200 people completed training, and more than 1,300 young people participated in workshops promoting social cohesion.
In times of crisis, Lebanon’s strength lies in unity, citizen resilience, and international cooperation. Protecting this unity requires not only real humanitarian aid but also a conscious fight against disinformation—pausing, verifying facts, and questioning information before sharing. This is key to maintaining Lebanon’s security, stability, and future.](https://shafafiyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lebanon-in-Times-of-Crisis-Citizen-Resilience-International-Solidarity-and-the-Challenges-of-Disinformation-1024x585.png)
In times of crisis, states naturally rely on the resilience of their citizens and the solidarity of the international community. Just as individuals turn to friends in difficult moments, and companies seek partners during uncertainty, Lebanon has received over $12 billion in international aid since 2019. This support has enabled hospitals to function, children to access education, and food and clean water to reach families in need, saving the most vulnerable lives.
Of course, this aid is not without challenges: coordination gaps, transparency concerns, and unequal distribution of resources exist. However, focusing solely on these shortcomings has created space for disinformation, which diminishes the significance of aid, undermines the intentions of donors, and weakens trust at a time when Lebanon needs unity more than ever. As President Michel Aoun highlighted in his inaugural vision:
“My commitment is to open Lebanon to both worlds, East and West, to build alliances and strengthen Lebanon’s external relations […] to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and its freedom of decision-making.”
In this spirit, international support, despite its imperfections, remains essential, and we cannot allow disinformation to undermine it.
Disinformation poses not only an internal threat but also affects Lebanon’s social fabric and foreign relations. Humanitarian aid is increasingly portrayed as foreign interference, raising doubts between Lebanon and its allies. This undermines trust and risks isolating the country from partners stepping in during crises. As experts note:
“We create dreams and bring them to life, and regardless of our differences, in times of crisis we support each other, because if one of us falls, we all fall.”
Countering disinformation is crucial to protecting internal unity and the credibility of partnerships. As individuals, we have a responsibility to pause, verify, and ask questions before sharing information.
One example is the fake organization International Organization for Human Rights and Refugee Affairs, which claimed in Aleppo that it had signed a $10 million aid agreement. It used stolen UN logos, manipulated images, and staged media reports. Its real goal was never to provide aid but to create the appearance of legitimacy for the Assad regime and undermine trust in real international assistance. Effective disinformation blurs the line between truth and falsehood, causing people to doubt reality and take opposing sides. Lebanon’s strength lies in unity and resilience, and protecting that unity means exposing lies before they create divisions.
Disinformation does not always take the form of fake news—it can also appear as fake honors or false titles. The same fraudulent organization once appointed a Syrian artist as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Women, using a title that appeared international but had no UN documentation. Such staged recognitions and media tricks aim to inflate false credibility, divert attention from real humanitarian aid, and confuse public opinion. Lebanon is undergoing a governance crisis that requires a shift in political perception to maintain security. Disinformation thrives where government fails, making its detection and exposure critical for Lebanon’s future.
Another wave of disinformation concerned aid from the United Arab Emirates, falsely claiming that aid shipments were “equipped with spyware” intended for surveillance rather than support. Posts and memes used fear-inducing language and manipulated images of aid boxes to suggest that even food and medicine were tools of espionage. This turns solidarity into suspicion, undermines trust in humanitarian partners, and distances Lebanon from its allies. In reality, such rumors deepen divisions and risk isolating the country at a time when cooperation and external support are essential for survival. As experts remind us:
“Our unity guarantees our security, and our diversity enriches our experience.” There is no security without unity.
For years, Poland has supported Lebanon not only with words but also through long-term humanitarian programs that bring real change:
- Polish Aid (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – Lebanon has been a priority country since 2018. Projects include solar-powered clinics, school modernization, safe playgrounds, and psychosocial support in collaboration with UN-Habitat and local partners.
- Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) – the only Polish NGO registered in Lebanon, operating since 2012. PCPM runs mobile and stationary clinics in northern Lebanon, supporting both Syrian refugees and Lebanese families.
- Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) – present since the Beirut explosion in 2020. PAH’s GLOW Center empowers women and youth through training in robotics, solar energy, and digital skills. In 2024 alone, over 1,200 people completed training, and more than 1,300 young people participated in workshops promoting social cohesion.
In times of crisis, Lebanon’s strength lies in unity, citizen resilience, and international cooperation. Protecting this unity requires not only real humanitarian aid but also a conscious fight against disinformation—pausing, verifying facts, and questioning information before sharing. This is key to maintaining Lebanon’s security, stability, and future.