In the midst of escalating violence between armed militants Hezbollah and the Israeli military, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. Airstrikes have been hitting deeper into Lebanon, resulting in 344 people killed, including eight children. Over 30,000 children have been displaced out of 90,000 since Hezbollah fighters increased strikes targeting northern Israel. UNICEF stressed the importance of a permanent ceasefire to prevent a full-scale war that would be devastating for Lebanon’s 1.3 million children and the region.
Infrastructure in Lebanon has been severely impacted by the violence, with key water station infrastructure destroyed, leaving around 100,000 people without access to clean drinking water. Additionally, 23 health facilities serving 4,000 people have been closed due to the ongoing conflict. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is deteriorating, with new food insecurity data showing high rates of malnutrition among children living in informal tented settlements for the displaced.
The crisis in Lebanon has worsened to the point where entire families are being sent out to beg for food, and children as young as four are being forced to work in agriculture. Malnutrition programs have seen a three-fold increase in children being referred due to lack of funding, leading to suspension of some programs. Communities are struggling to survive, with children earning as little as $2 per day to put food on the table. The situation is becoming increasingly severe and tragic, with children facing back problems from carrying heavy loads of trash daily.
Even before the current hostilities, Lebanon was already facing a deep economic crisis compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability. Around half of the Lebanese population lives below the poverty line, with the situation exacerbated for the one million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, nine in 10 of whom live in extreme poverty. The crisis has left many displaced individuals with nothing, facing loss once again in their already precarious situations.
UNICEF’s report on the crisis highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to address the worsening situation in Lebanon. The organization is calling for immediate action to provide essential services, including clean water, food, and healthcare to those affected by the conflict. With the number of displaced children increasing and the impact on the most vulnerable populations growing, it is crucial for the international community to come together to support Lebanon and its people during this challenging time.
