UNICEF Warns of Catastrophic Impact on Children Amid Escalating Violence in Lebanon.

BEIRUT:

UNICEF has raised alarms about the dire situation facing children in Lebanon as violence escalates, with Deputy Representative Ettie Higgins reporting a shocking toll on young lives. On Monday alone, at least 35 children were killed, surpassing the total of 22 child fatalities reported over the previous 11 months. This brings the total number of child deaths in the ongoing conflict to 492.

Higgins emphasized the grave risk to countless more children who are now exposed to relentless attacks, living in fear, and struggling with an overwhelmed health system. She warned that if conflict escalates further, it could have devastating consequences, especially for families in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, who are already facing displacement.

Lebanon is grappling with a severe economic and political crisis, compounded by the aftermath of the Port of Beirut explosion and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Families are on the brink of survival, and the current violence exacerbates their struggles.

Schools are closed across the country, leaving children in fear while caregivers grapple with uncertainty. UNICEF is ramping up its response, preparing to deliver vital supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to those affected.

Higgins urged for immediate de-escalation and called on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law to protect civilians, particularly children, and to facilitate safe passage for those seeking refuge. She condemned the recent violence as the worst seen in Lebanon in nearly two decades and stressed the urgent need for it to stop to prevent unconscionable consequences for the nation’s children.