Compounding crises for children
Children in Lebanon were already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis driven by economic collapse, political instability and ongoing conflict. More than half of the population depend on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs.
Now this latest escalation of violence has injured and killed children, caused mass displacement and halted education. All schools across the country have closed, affecting 1.5 million children.
Many schools are now being used as temporary shelters for those displaced by the violence. Children are not only missing out on their right to learn, but they are also being stripped of security and normality during this time of widespread uncertainty and anxiety. Every day away from the classroom increases the threat to children’s long-term physical and mental wellbeing.
“Thinking of a home and what is has become, makes my cry,” says Samer*, 13, in southern Lebanon.
“Sometimes I worry I won't be able to remember what it looked like.”
The need for support has never been more urgent
We have been working in Lebanon since 1953. Since October 2023, we have supported 60,000 people, including 25,000 children, who have been displaced by the escalation of violence.
This support includes setting up safe spaces; distributing learning materials; offering mental health support to help children cope with the psychological toll; cash assistance to cover basic needs like food, medicine and warm clothing; and the provision of food parcels, hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses and pillows.
We are ready to scale up our response to the escalating crisis, but we need your support. With additional funds, we plan to:
- Distribute essential relief items, including water, toiletries, blankets, and food parcels.
- Provide cash for essentials and play materials for children.
- Upgrade shelters and improve water and sanitation facilities.
- Set up Child Protection Help Desks and run awareness sessions.
- Offer emergency education and child protection activities for children affected by school closures.
- Reunite children separated from their caregivers through family tracing services.
- Provide psychological first aid and train local responders in mental health support.
As violence escalates in the region, the need for support has never been more urgent.
Please donate today to the Lebanon Emergency appeal and help us support children and their families threatened by this crisis.
*Name changed to protect identity.
Photo: RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images