Difficult decision in Lebanon - 26th March 2021

Nour al-Jalbout is a doctor in Lebanon. Nour is Lebanese. Nour doesn't feel safe in Lebanon. She wants to leave.

Last August, there was a big accident in Beirut. Many people were hurt.

Nour: "I have the most noble job - when I'm doing it, and I'm doing the best I can. [And then came] August 4 - I was here and the ceiling fell off on us."

Nour works hard. But she is tired. Life is difficult.

Nour: "I mean, we're known for our resilience, it's kind of, of a double-edged sword. Like, the Lebanese resilience, I'm like fed up of being resilient. I don't want to live this life anymore, you know. I want to live a decent life and not be having to face a bomb, and civil riots, and war every like couple of years - it's heart-breaking."

The pandemic is one problem. There are problems with the government too. Some people steal money.

People are angry. Sometimes, there is fighting. And now, many people don't have a job.

Doctors' pay is very low. And hospitals don't have money for important medicines.

Nour: "So, every month there's a medication that's essential that is out of stock. So, it goes back and forth until we get the money and then get the supplies. Oh, he needs to be midlined."

Nour has a new job in the US. She's leaving Lebanon. Lots of other doctors are leaving Lebanon too.

Nour feels sad. She loves Lebanon. But it's a bad place for her.

Nour: "For me Beirut is like opium, [they call it "afiun" in Arabic]. You are, you're addicted to it but it's so bad for you, it's toxic. So [my love for Beirut is like this] this bad relationship that's not good for me and I have to just get out."