Children and their families are once again grappling with the devastation of conflict as hostilities between Israel, and a group in Lebanon called Hezbollah, rapidly escalated on 23 September 2024.
A series of targeted airstrikes rained down on Lebanon, killing and injuring thousands, triggering mass displacement as families fled their homes, seeking refuge in shelters, while nearly 500,000 people crossed the border into Syria in search of safety.
This conflict is the latest crisis to impact Lebanon, which was already enduring an economic and political crisis that was already pushing families to the brink. Now, access to essential services, such as health and education has been further reduced - worsening an already dire situation for children and their communities.
As the conflict continues to unfold, families are shrouded in uncertainty as violence, displacement, and fear take hold. We hear the stories of children who have already endured so much.

Lebanon children living in fear
The impact of conflict on children is immense
It alters every aspect of their lives. It disrupts their access to essential services such as clean water, nutritious food, health care and education. They are forced to leave their homes, friends and community as they flee with their families to safety in what are often unfamiliar places. This triggers overwhelming levels of stress, anxiety, and fear – trauma that will last a lifetime.
400,000
children have been displaced in Lebanon since hostilities escalated on 23 September 2024.
700,000 +
children were already out of school before the crisis, with thousands more having their education disrupted due to displacement.

At 13 years old, Mohammad had to leave his home in search of safety.
“When the bombing started, I was really scared. My heart started pounding and I felt like the building was going to fall on me. With my mum, I grabbed some sweaters, shorts, and whatever I could fit in my bag, and we came here. I just want to go back home to play on my PlayStation,” explains Mohammad. “I want to tell everyone not to be afraid. When the war is over, we’ll all return to our homes and schools.”

Displaced from southern Lebanon, six-year-old Firas is with his family at a school turned shelter for the almost 188,000 internally displaced people.
"My mum always taught me to be helpful, so I’m walking around giving people snacks to help cheer them up during this really tough time"

At 15 years old, Luna and Fatima sit with Amir, who is two years old. They were displaced from south Lebanon and are now living in a shelter.
"We saw the bombs hitting nearby villages, and slowly, the missiles started getting closer until we were surrounded from all sides. We were hit by shrapnel, and glass shattered over our heads. We left the village in a hurry but got stuck in heavy traffic for a long time before reaching Beirut."

At a shelter, two friends, nine-year-old Ali and eight-year-old Ali, tell us, "Ali and I are best friends. We used to play together all the time in our village, and we came here together with our families after the bombing. Our favorite games are martial arts, but we make sure not to hurt each other – we play gently. I'm really happy to have my friend with me here at the shelter. Without him, the days would feel so long."

Displaced with his family, 13-year-old Ali shares, "We came here to stay safe from the bombing. I'm really sad that I had to leave my home and also stop my football training. But I won't give up on my dreams, and one day I'll go back to playing football again.”
How UNICEF is helping children in Lebanon

As the cross-border conflict continues to evolve, UNICEF is working alongside local partners to support children and their families with safe drinking water, lifesaving nutrition and healthcare, emergency medical supplies, as well as sleeping bags, blankets, hygiene and dignity kits to displaced families. We’re also providing mental health and psychosocial support and learning and recreational materials to children in need.
Without a permanent ceasefire in the region, Lebanon is at risk of a full-scale war, which would have a devastating impact on the 1.9 million children living in the country today.

Children of Lebanon Crisis
UNICEF is providing urgent assistance to children. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help today.
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