War in Lebanon inflicting devastating impacts on children

The ongoing war in Lebanon is upending children’s lives, and in many cases, inflicting severe physical wounds and deep emotional scars.

Children across Lebanon are displaying alarming signs of emotional, behavioural, and physical distress. UNICEF teams have met children who are gripped by overwhelming fear and increased anxiety, including separation anxiety, fear of loss, withdrawal, aggression, and difficulty concentrating. Many have disrupted sleep, haunted by nightmares, headaches, and loss of appetite. Deprived of the safety, stability, and support that school provides, many of these children are left without the spaces they need to play, learn, and heal.

This conflict is only worsening an already dire situation for children and their communities. 75 per cent of children at risk of poverty, as multiple overlapping crises push families closer to the brink. If it escalates further, the conflict could be catastrophic for all children in Lebanon, exacerbating difficult conditions for already the 3.9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

War tears apart the safe and nurturing environments children need. When children are forced to endure prolonged periods of traumatic stress, they face severe health and psychological risks, and the consequences can last a lifetime.

UNICEF is on the ground providing emergency psychological support to thousands of children and caregivers. Since 23 September 2024, UNICEF has reached more than 9,600 children and caregivers with psychological first aid and provided community-based support for nearly 10,000 children.

“The attacks on Lebanon are killing and injuring children at a frightening rate and devastating any sense of safety and security for hundreds of thousands of children across the country.” UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, Edouard Beigbeder

UNICEF is working alongside local partners to support children and their families with safe drinking water, lifesaving nutrition and healthcare, psychosocial support and are delivering sleeping bags, blankets, hygiene kits to displaced families. We will continue to work with our partners on the ground ensuring that the needs and priorities of affected communities are addressed and that they have a voice in the design and implementation of the response. We need your support now, more than ever.