Lebanon: One Month Into Escalated Hostilities, War Child and Partners’ Support Continues

Just one day after the start of the war on Gaza in October 2023, hostilities broke out in the south of Lebanon. In late September 2024, the conflict escalated dramatically with significant casualties and widespread damage.

At the time of writing 1.2 million people across Lebanon are estimated to be affected by these hostilities. More than 2,600 people – including hundreds of children – have been killed since 8 October 2023. Close to 833,400 people – including whole families – have fled their homes. Almost all schools are closed and critical civilian infrastructure including telecommunications and water services have been damaged.

A community response, but hundreds of thousands still in need

Most of those displaced have fled from South Lebanon where the most intense bombardment is concentrated. The Lebanese population is already responding to the needs of people newly displaced; family and community members have opened their doors and arms. But thousands of people are without shelter altogether. They are in urgent need of food and mental health assistance.

There are also at least 189,000 people who have fled to government-managed shelters. People like Zaynab and her father, who were forced to leave their homes in the south when the bombing began.

“[Before fleeing] planes would break the sound barrier, mostly at night, causing significant discomfort, especially to my youngest daughter. Then, when the planes started bombing, we ran away, leaving everything behind, and we took refuge at a school,” Zaynab’s father shares.

“We used to play grown-ups and build houses on the streets,” Zaynab describes of her life before she and her family had to leave. “We used to play close to our house … but we left everything behind. Some people are sad for losing their homes, and others for losing family.

“When I hear an airplane I fear an attack, and I fear it’ll attack our school.”

War Child’s response 

War Child has not been immune to the impact of escalations in Lebanon. In early October, an Israeli airstrike hit our centres in Balbeek. In the same strike, five children we previously worked with were killed, along with almost all members of their family.

Our staff living and working in Lebanon are also directly affected. They can see, smell and hear the bombs falling around them, yet they are fiercely committed to helping as many children as possible.  Alongside local partners including Nusaned, LOST and UNICEF, War Child is supporting thousands of people – including more than 1,700 children so far – who have been displaced and are living in temporary shelters.

“We are working in the North, in Baalbeck Hermel and in Beirut Mount Lebanon governates. Alongside other organisations, our team is working in displacement shelters where we are distributing essential goods and creating safe spaces for children to rest, process and play,” explains Nisrine Yassine, War Child Country Director for Lebanon.

Already, the team has supported more than 1,500 families. They have also provided more than 6,000 meals to people on the move. Around 760 children have joined recreational activities, and more than 300 children have been directly assisted through psychological first aid and child protection activities. But the humanitarian need remains vast.

“We are encountering people who have left all their possessions, and their home, behind. They need the basics like food and water, but there is also an urgent need for mental health support to help people process what they have experienced. as well as that, it’s critical that children are protected from further harm,” adds Nisrine.

Ceasefire and accountability urgently needed

War Child teams are doing all they can to meet the needs of children in Lebanon, as in the occupied Palestinian territory. But a region-wide ceasefire is the only way to prevent even more children being killed and injured.

We continue to urge all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law (IHL) and fulfil their obligations to protect civilians. Already in Lebanon, as has been occurring in Gaza for more than 12 months, healthcare facilities, aid workers and humanitarian infrastructure have been attacked. This is a clear breach of IHL. Arms transfers to parties to the conflict that are breaching IHL must be suspended.

Those with power must hold parties to this conflict accountable and demand that they respect their obligations under IHL. Civilians, humanitarian workers and medical personnel must be protected before it’s too late.