The United nation estimated that nearly 700,000 people have been forced to flee their home as a result of the ongoing on conflict in Lebanon, including 200,000 children.
Lebanon is home to around 1.8 million children, 1 in 10 of those have had to leave their homes. Intensified airstrikes have destroyed infrastructure and residential areas, meaning children and their families have been forced to leave their homes.
"Since the escalation began, we have seen entire families arriving in waves across the Bekaa area and North Lebanon with almost nothing”, said a staff member from the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), one of War Child’s implementing partners in Lebanon. “Many people are staying with relatives or in informal shelters, and the pressure on local communities is growing by the hour. Our teams on the ground have mobilised immediately, reopening operational centres and preparing warehouses and field kitchens [to be used as shelters and safe spaces]. But the needs are already outpacing what we can cover with existing resources.”
Children in Lebanon are facing several risks including:
- Separation from family members as they make their way to safety
- Many children have had their education disrupted as many schools have had to close for the safety of students
- Children are experiencing psychological trauma from the devastation they are witnessing
- There are increased concerns for children being exploited, being used for child labour, being forced into early marriage and being subjected to violence
- Children are in constant fear for their safety
- The risk of airstrikes on shelters they are seeking safety in
- Lack of mental health and psychosocial support to help them process the trauma they are experiencing
“Across Lebanon, children are being killed, injured, and forced to flee their homes in fear. Tonight, thousands are sleeping on classroom floors or informal shelters, with relatives, and on the streets, instead of at home,” said Flutra Gorana, War Child Middle East Regional Director.
