Like thousands of families forced to flee, Ahmad and Aya left their home in Bent Jbeil - a village in southern Lebanon devastated by shelling and airstrikes - in search of safety. It was the second time they had been displaced since getting married two years earlier.
Displaced, expecting and fighting for their child's future
After an exhausting journey and hours spent looking for a safe place to stay, they finally reached North Lebanon. But as they tried to settle into displacement, another fear emerged, as Aya was now pregnant.
Ahmad and Aya had married shortly before the 2024 escalation in Lebanon, but were forced to flee before completing their marriage registration. When they returned south after the ceasefire, their energy went into rebuilding, and administrative tasks, like finalising their marriage registration, were pushed aside.
Without this document, Aya would not be able to complete the procedures required to be admitted to a hospital to give birth, and the couple would later face challenges registering their baby.
A document that may seem routine can determine whether a family can access services, register a birth, or even secure a child’s legal identity.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) supported Ahmad and Aya through the process. The couple were assisted to register their marriage before the relevant court.
For them, this was more than a legal document. It meant that Aya could be admitted to a hospital and deliver her baby safely. It also meant that their child could start life with a recognised legal identity, and that the family could face the future with greater security.
In a context where displacement continues to disrupt lives across Lebanon, civil documentation remains essential. It helps families access services and protect their rights.
This support was made possible thanks to the German Government through KfW Development Bank.
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