Lebanon, a country with a history of recurring conflict, is facing a devastating humanitarian crisis as Israel continues its military campaign in the country. Civilians, especially children, are paying a terrible price in terms of lost lives and profound trauma.
UNICEF has revealed that since 4 October, at least one child has been killed and ten injured every day in Lebanon. This chilling figure highlights the scale of suffering endured by the most vulnerable population. The physical and psychological aftereffects are multiple: separation anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, concentration problems, sleep disorders, nightmares, headaches and loss of appetite. In the absence of stability, children are deprived of spaces to play, learn and heal.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell is sounding the alarm and calling for an immediate ceasefire to protect children. War, she says, disrupts children’s lives, depriving them of the safe and caring environments they need to thrive. The physical and emotional damage caused by prolonged periods of traumatic stress exposes children to major risks to their health and future well-being.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has mourned the deaths of 166 children and the injuries of 1,168 others since last October. These alarming figures are only a reflection of the widespread suffering that is taking place across the country. In the face of such tragedy, the urgency for concerted and immediate humanitarian action is undeniable.
It is crucial to raise awareness and mobilize the international community to end this senseless violence and protect the human rights of children in Lebanon. Every life lost and every scar left on the bodies and souls of children are poignant reminders of the urgent need for lasting peace and a safer future for future generations. The suffering of Lebanese children can no longer be ignored, it calls for solidarity and action to ensure a future of peace and dignity for all.