Lebanon’s children have suffered devastating consequences of the 2024 hostilities. The escalation of violence has led to loss of life, injuries, and massive displacement among the youngest and most vulnerable members of society. Beyond the immediate physical dangers, these children face long-term challenges, including psychological trauma, disruption of education, and threats to their overall well-being.
History of hostilities
Lebanon has a complex history marked by periods of conflict and political instability. The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) left deep scars on the nation’s social and political situation (Ochsenwald&Kingston, 2025). In the years following, Lebanon experienced intermittent conflicts, including the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, which caused significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage (Britannica, n.d.).
In recent years, tensions along Lebanon’s southern border have escalated, leading to renewed hostilities. Beginning in October 2023, cross-border conflicts intensified, resulting in near-daily airstrikes and military engagements. These hostilities have progressively penetrated deeper into Lebanese territory, causing widespread displacement and civilian casualties. The situation further deteriorated in mid-September 2024, with a significant increase in violence affecting numerous communities across the country.
Impact on children: Casualties and displacement
The 2024 escalation of hostilities has put Lebanese children in immediate physical danger. According to reports, just between mid-September and October 22, 2024, more than 1,088 children were injured, and 155 children were killed as the situation deteriorated (Unicef USA, October 30, 2024).
The violence has also led to significant displacement. Reports indicate that more than 400,000 children had to leave their homes due to the ongoing conflict (ReliefWeb, October 2, 2024). This mass displacement has disrupted their access not only to education, healthcare, and essential services but to food as well.
Food crisis and its dire consequences
It is estimated that approximately 29% of children in Lebanon were experiencing crisis levels of hunger in January 2025. This marks an increase of almost 5% in child hunger during the period between October 2024 and January 2025. The escalation of conflict severely damaged the agricultural production and supply chains, leading to food prices skyrocketing and essential goods becoming less available. Consequently, many families are unable to provide sufficient nutrition for their children (ReliefWeb, 2025).
Approximately 1.65 million people are projected to face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity between December 2024 and March 2025. This includes about 526,000 children. The deterioration is mainly related to the combined impact of conflict and large displacement on various sectors of the Lebanese economy, further worsening the deep economic crisis (IPC, 2025).
The worsening hunger crisis has forced some families to turn to extreme coping mechanisms, including child labor, to meet their basic needs. This not only jeopardizes children’s health and development but also exposes them to exploitation and abuse (Middle East Monitor, 2025).
Inadequate shelter and health risks
During the 2024 hostilities, Lebanese children have been forced into various forms of shelter. Approximately 400,000 children have been displaced by the end of October 2024, with many seeking refuge in temporary shelters, public schools, or with host families. Some families had no option but to set up tents on the beachfront or the street (Unicef, October 23, 2024).
The living conditions within these shelters are harsh. By October 2024, over 154,000 displaced people were placed in 851 active shelters, including public schools, with 70% of them already at full capacity. Only some had actual showers, sanitation facilities, hot water, and heating. Others were staying with host families, often in overcrowded homes (ReliefWeb, 2024).
The lack of appropriate shelter exposes children to numerous dangers, including health risks from poor sanitation and the spread of infectious diseases. Children in Lebanon are at growing risk of health and protection issues, including waterborne diseases like cholera, hepatitis, and diarrhea.
As of January 2025, the situation remained critical. While some displaced people have returned to the areas they came from, many have stayed in temporary shelters. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that around 883,203 people have returned to their areas of origin, while 103,346 people remain displaced. Among the displaced, 3,055 individuals are registered in 38 collective sites, predominantly schools or other public and private buildings (IOM, 2025).
Learning amid the ruins
Even prior to the escalation of hostilities, Lebanon’s public education system was under strain. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s five-year General Education Plan (2021-2025) projected an increase to 540,000 students enrolled in public schools by 2025, putting unprecedented pressure on the existing infrastructure (Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Lebanon, 2021). The 2024 hostilities have further exacerbated these challenges, leading to overcrowded classrooms and strained resources.
With nearly 60% of all public schools being used as shelters for displaced families during the hostilities and hundreds of them destroyed and inaccessible due to security concerns, the start of the new school year in 2024 had been postponed (Unicef USA, October 16, 2024). In November 2024, the Lebanese Ministry of Education initiated a plan to reopen public schools and enroll 175,000 students, including 38,000 displaced children across 350 schools not used as shelters.
However, schedules have had to be compressed, often into 3-day working weeks. Additionally, both teachers and children have been mentally exhausted and many of them are not ready to return to school. Another concerning point is the fact that school reopening is a phased plan, which in practice means that some children had access to education as of January 2025, while some did not (Stezycki & Alkousaa, 2024).
Urgent action needed
Having in mind the risk of hunger and child exploitation and abuse, the number of children still displaced, the severe disruption of education, and multiple other risk factors, it is clear that Lebanese children require urgent and comprehensive help. Most importantly, it is necessary to ensure that the ceasefire signed in November 2024 remains in force.
Funding for emergency relief programs that specifically address children’s needs must be prioritized, both by Lebanon and the international community. This includes directing financial aid to rebuild damaged schools, providing psychological support services, and ensuring displaced families receive adequate shelter and nutrition until they are able to return to their homes and restore their lives.
Countries with diplomatic influence should also push for humanitarian corridors, allowing aid to reach affected regions more efficiently. This especially refers to nutrition aid, as the prognosis for 2025 remains grim in that area.
It is imperative for children to start their physical and psychological recovery as soon as possible. While the phased realization of the plan to reopen schools and the gradual return of people to their homes are encouraging steps toward stabilizing the situation, it is necessary to speed up these processes.
Child protection programs led by NGOs and international organizations must be expanded, particularly in areas where displacement has led to overcrowding in shelters and schools. This can be achieved by establishing mobile classrooms in temporary shelters, recruiting and training additional teachers to compensate for the educational disruption, and setting up child-friendly spaces that provide psychological and social support. Distributing essential supplies like winter clothing, hygiene kits, and nutritional supplements to prevent disease outbreaks and malnutrition among displaced children is also of crucial importance.
Finally, individuals can also make a significant impact by contributing in targeted and practical ways. At Humanium, we are committed to protecting children in critical situations worldwide, especially those who are unable to advocate for themselves. You can support our work by donating, sponsoring a child, or volunteering with us.
Written by Zeljka Mazinjanin
References:
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IOM (2025, Displacement Tracking Matrix Lebanon. Retrieved from IOM, available at https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:eu:01aa8b07-cf02-4159-a3dc-9296d2121eb2, accessed on February 5, 2025.
IPC (2025), Lebanon: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for October – November 2024 and Projection for December 2024 – March 2025. Retrieved from Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), available at https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/ipc-overview-and-classification-system/en/, accessed on February 5, 2025.
Middle East Monitor (2025), 1 in 3 children facing crisis levels of hunger in Lebanon. Retrieved from Middle East Monitor, available at https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250120-1-in-3-children-facing-crisis-levels-of-hunger-in-lebanon/, accessed on February 5, 2025.
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