Lebanon: the tremors that awaken the trauma

Every month, we feature a column by one of the personalities who take turns writing for Le Regard Libre. Freelance journalist Sophie Woeldgen shares her views as a reporter in the Middle East on an itchy subject.

«It felt like someone was pushing me out of bed—it was that strong. Everyone in my family woke up at the same time. We all rushed into the living room and took cover under the table. We thought it was another explosion,» Sara recalls. In Beirut, Lebanon, on February 6 at around 3:20 a.m., an earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale sparked panic. Despite negligible property damage—and even though residents were urged to evacuate dilapidated buildings to prevent another disaster—this earthquake reawakened old traumas. «The next day, while talking with