Children at immense risk amid escalating crises across the Middle East
Children across the Middle East are facing a rapidly evolving crisis, driven by escalating conflict and instability in places like Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Years of economic hardship, displacement and insecurity had already placed immense strain on families, and recent military escalation across the region has further heightened risks for children living in fragile settings.
Across parts of the Middle East, many children are growing up amid multiple and overlapping crises – conflict, political instability, violence, compounded by poverty and, in some place, natural disasters.
In Iran, recent escalations have placed children at increased risk, with reports of children at school killed in airstrikes, while in Lebanon, airstrikes displaced over 83,000 people. In Syria and Yemen, more than a decade of conflict has pushed communities to the brink, while the ongoing insecurity in Gaza continues to have devastating consequences for children’s safety, wellbeing and futures. Many children are growing up knowing nothing but crisis – missing out on education, facing hunger and malnutrition, and suffering from preventable diseases.
Every child must be protected, no matter who they are or where they live.
Middle East Crisis
Children’s lives are at risk as violence escalates across the Middle East. Donate today to help children impacted by crises.
How is UNICEF helping children in Iran, Lebanon and across the Middle East?
UNICEF is on the ground in countries across the Middle East, working alongside our partners to deliver for children in need, and we’re ready to scale up support for children and families affected by compounding crisis, when and where it is needed most.
How will my donation help children in the Middle East?
Even in the face of the escalating crisis, UNICEF continues to work for children and families across every region, including in Lebanon, where needs are immediate and growing.
Here's how you can help:
- $90 could provide over 18,800 water purification tablets, each able to create up to five litres of clean drinking water.
- $190 could help provide 378 sachets of Plumpy’Nut®, a therapeutic paste, enough for lifesaving treatment for three children with severe malnutrition.
- $310 could help provide hygiene and dignity kits for five families, each packed with emergency supplies including soap, water containers, cleaning products and reusable menstrual products.
- 78¢on average, 78 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went directly to helping children in need, including long-term programs, emergency response and community education.
- 22¢on average, 15 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went to essential fundraising costs that helped us generate more impact for children, 7 cents went to admin costs, such as keeping your personal data safe.
How do we use each dollar donated?
Looking for other ways to support children in the Middle East?
Frequently asked questions about the Middle East crisis appeal
The Middle East crisis is a series of overlapping conflicts and humanitarian emergencies affecting countries across the region, including Gaza, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iran. Years of war, political instability, violence and economic strain – combined with displacement, food shortages and limited access to basic services – have left millions of families struggling to cope.
Across parts of the Middle East, children are being deeply affected by ongoing conflict, violence and instability. Many families have lost their homes, missing out on education, or struggling to access food, clean water and basic health care. Living amid fear and uncertainty, children are facing growing risks to their safety, wellbeing and futures.
Yes. UNICEF has been working in Iran since the 1950s, supporting children and their families through health, nutrition, education and child protection services, especially during times of crisis.
UNICEF is calling on all parties to show restraint and to protect civilians and the essential services children depend on, including schools and health care facilities. These places must never be attacked, as doing so puts children’s lives, health and futures at risk.
UNICEF is actively assessing the unfolding escalation of conflict in Iran, and across the Middle East, and stands ready to scale up support to affected children and their families.
UNICEF’s existing work across the region supports lifesaving assistance and essential services through nutrition, health, water and hygiene, education, child protection and social protection programs.
Hero image photo credit: In March 2025, Ali, 13, sits inside what was once his school in Lebanon, severely damaged after 13 months of conflict. © UNICEF/UNI753046/Ibarra Sánchez