Loss and Uncertainty for Lebanon’s Children – UNICEF

As the conflict has worsened, the psychological toll on the population, particularly children, has spiraled. Almost every child in Lebanon has been impacted in some way.

An estimated 400,000 children have been forced from their homes. Many are staying in makeshift shelters hoping for a semblance of safety – some in public schools, others with anyone who can offer a roof and a place to rest. Some families have no option but to set up tents on the beachfront or the street. 

Every child who has been displaced has a story – of loss, of a life upended, of uncertainty for what lies ahead.

“If I’m destined to die, I’ll die, and if I am destined to live, I will live,” Ghazal, 9, says matter-of-factly.

She fled from southern Lebanon to Beirut and recalls how simple life used to be – playing with her brother and friends, being able to take showers, have dinner, and go to bed in peace.

Ghazal is particularly worried about her grandmother. “How could I know if she passed away now, God forbid? What would I do then?”

She also worries about the school she left behind.

Abbas, 11, was hit by shrapnel during a missile strike near his home in southern Lebanon.

Abbas used to raise pigeons at home and is anxious because he left them without food. There wasn’t time to tend to them or even pack up some clothes as he fled. “I don’t know if they’re alive,” he says. “I think about them every day, and I wish I could go back to check on them.”

Mohammad, 13, also misses his home and hopes the war will end soon so he can go back to school. He had to leave after heavy bombing near their house. “I felt scared, as if the building was going to collapse on us,” he says.

Despite everything, Mohammad is still hopeful.

Not every child on Lebanon’s streets has been displaced from their home – some children have been born amongst the chaos and devastation of this conflict.

Farah sits in a makeshift tent in downtown Beirut cradling her newborn daughter. She gave birth here after she was forced to flee her home.

UNICEF teams are on the ground and working around the clock with partners to help children and families meet some of their basic needs.

This support includes providing bottled and trucked water and hygiene kits.

But the needs are enormous. Around 1.2 million people have been affected. Tens of thousands of families are living in perilous circumstances. Thousands of people remain on the streets of Lebanon without adequate shelter, bedding or clothing.

Nathaly, 7, has been staying with her family in a shelter for a few days, since they were forced to flee their home.

“Every day, I hear the frightening sound of the planes, and I ask my mom about it,” Nathaly says, adding she’s worried her family might be killed and that she’ll be left alone.