Driving from Beirut, through Chtoura and Zahle, life appeared normal. Shops were open, traffic was busy and people went about their daily chores. As we continued our drive towards Beqaa Valley and Baalbek, all that starts to dissapate. Suddenly, there isn't a soul to be found, perhaps a hand full of vehicles every now and again, and almost every single shop and business were shut! A bakery may remain open with limited supplies but that was a rare sight. Beqaa and Baalbek were literal ghost towns.

Most people have been displaced to nearby towns like Zahle, Saida, Beirut, Tripoli. Some displaced to schools turned displaced centres, some who are able to afford rental have moved into small apartmentes. Lives have been upturned and put under immense stress. Economic activiites have come to a halt. Schools have ceased to function.