30,000 children displaced
by war on southern borders

20,000 suffer from education disruption, 4,000 lack healthcare

The war on the southern borders has led to the displacement of 30,000 children, disruption of the education of 20,000 children, and lack of essential healthcare affecting 4,000 children, according to a recent report by UNICEF, the UN agency that provides humanitarian aid to children.

“The conflict has reduced access to essential services, such as health and education – worsening an already dire situation for children and their communities,” UNICEF said its report Caught in the Crossfire: The Impact of Six Months of Conflict on Children in Lebanon.

Operational and security challenges have resulted in the partial or full closure of 72 schools. Several schools have been damaged and some schools were repurposed as shelters for displaced families. “Continued disruption to in-person teaching and learning heightens risks like child labor and early marriage for the most vulnerable children including children with disabilities and girls and adolescent young women,” UNICEF said. The percentage of families sending their children to work has increased from 11 percent in April, 2023 to 16 percent by the end of the year. UNICEF warned that inaction would increase school dropout rates among children raising the probability of their involvement in informal or exploitative work.

“Over 16,000 children under five, 17,000 adolescent girls, and 10,000 women living in areas
where primary healthcare centers have closed are experiencing limited access to vital early childhood development and nutritional services,” the UN agency said. According to the report, vaccine-preventable diseases and water and sanitation-related illnesses are expected to increase. The children war casualties included eight killed and 75 injured.

“Immediate steps must be taken to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing Lebanon’s vulnerable children amidst the ongoing conflict. This requires a unified and multi-sectoral approach that prioritizes the safety, wellbeing, and future prospects of children. Failing to do so jeopardizes the potential of children,” UNICEF said.