Lebanon War Displaces Over 400,000 Children, UNICEF Warns of “Lost Generation”
More than 400,000 children in Lebanon have been displaced in the past three weeks, according to a top official with the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, The Associated Press reports.
Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s deputy executive director for humanitarian actions, warned of a potential “lost generation” in the country, already struggling with multiple crises and now embroiled in a devastating war.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group has led to an escalation of violence, including an Israeli ground invasion, after a year of intermittent exchanges of fire. This has displaced a total of 1.2 million people, most of whom have sought refuge in Beirut and other northern regions.
The war has had a devastating impact on Lebanon’s education system, with 1.2 million children currently deprived of their right to education. Public schools have been damaged, rendered inaccessible or converted into shelters, leaving children without access to learning.
While some private schools remain operational, the public school system and vulnerable populations, including Palestinian and Syrian refugees, have been disproportionately affected. The war has also resulted in a dire humanitarian situation, with the Health Ministry reporting over 2,300 deaths in Lebanon, nearly 75% occurring within the past month.
Chaiban revealed that over 100 children have been killed and over 800 wounded in the past three weeks alone. The displaced children are now crowded into overcrowded shelters, with multiple families sharing classrooms or tents along roads and beaches. The constant exposure to violence, including shelling and gunshots, has left many children traumatized.
The conflict has also severely damaged critical infrastructure, including water and healthcare services. Over 100 primary healthcare facilities are out of service, while 12 hospitals are non-functional or partially operational.
Chaiban highlighted the attack on water infrastructure, with 26 water stations, serving nearly 350,000 people, being damaged in the last three weeks. UNICEF is working to repair these stations but underscores the urgent need for protection of civilian infrastructure.
Amidst the escalating crisis, UNICEF is calling for an immediate ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. Chaiban emphasizes the need for political will and a recognition that military means cannot resolve the conflict. He stressed that the emergency response appeal of $108 million for Lebanon has been only 8% funded, highlighting the dire need for international support.
