A sense of normality and calm during conflict

In times of crisis, children deserve their moments of joy

Play is the universal language of childhood – and in Lebanon, the Save the Children Emergency Response team is not only reaching children with the essentials they need to survive. They are also bringing recreational activities to shelters to help children deal with the emotional trauma of conflict.  

Along with helping families meet their basic needs, the team is also helping ease the psychological wounds of children by providing safe environments, where children can play and recover.

At a collective shelter in North Lebanon, we’ve seen the times when children’s faces were alight with big smiles. Fulfilling their immediate needs and giving them a chance to be playful amidst a volatile situation are part of the life-saving response made possible by the compassionate help of supporters.

A life-saving response you help make possible

Almost two months since the situation dramatically escalated in Lebanon on 23 September, we’ve rapidly scaled up our response and plan to expand our operations.

We’re responding in more than 270 shelters, in coordination with other international organisations and local partners across the country. With donor support, we are:

• Providing essential items – like mattresses, blankets, pillows, bottled water and hygiene kits – to families staying in temporary shelters in over 500 locations.
• Giving food parcels to families outside shelters.
• Supporting the set-up of temporary shelters and upgrading existing shelters with solar lights, internet, toilets, and bathing facilities.
• Establishing more child-friendly spaces to provide safe environments for children, and identifying and referring children in need of specialist support where needed.
• Distributing learning materials, including home-based learning kits and establishing temporary learning spaces where possible. 

Stop the war on children

Children should be off limits in war. But right now, children in the Middle East are being killed and injured by bombs and bullets at a devastating rate. Children have lost their homes, schools and loved ones. They are dying because of hunger and disease.

In conflict, children are more likely to suffer life-altering physical and mental harm. Their right to learn and potential to grow up happy and healthy is affected when their homes and schools are being bombed. The ongoing attacks take a huge toll on their mental health – creating a constant state of fear.

An immediate and definitive ceasefire is the only way to protect children from suffering, to safely get them critical aid, and to stop the conflict from escalating further across the region. 

Banner image credit: Jaafar Hamdan/Save the Children