400,000 Children Displaced in Lebanon: UNICEF Warns of a ‘Lost Generation’ Amid Escalating Conflict

Lebanon is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 400,000 children displaced in just three weeks as the war with Israel intensifies. Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s deputy executive director for humanitarian actions, raised concerns about the devastating impact of the conflict, warning of a potential “lost generation” in a country already grappling with multiple crises.

Conflict Intensifies Between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel has escalated its military operations against Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group, following a series of exchanges of fire and missile strikes triggered by its war with Hamas in Gaza. This escalation has forced 1.2 million people from their homes, with many fleeing to Beirut and northern Lebanon. The rapid deterioration of the situation has left civilians, particularly children, in desperate circumstances.

Schools Turned Into Shelters, Education Disrupted

Chaiban described the dire conditions for displaced children, many of whom are living in overcrowded shelters, including schools repurposed to house families. “What struck me is that this war is three weeks old, and so many children have been affected,” he noted. Over a million children are now deprived of education as public schools have been damaged or converted into shelters.

This crisis has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations such as Palestinian and Syrian refugees. Chaiban expressed concern, stating, “Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian children are at risk of losing their education.”

Devastating Toll on Lebanon’s Children

The ongoing conflict has claimed over 2,300 lives in Lebanon, with nearly 75% of the casualties occurring in the past month. According to Chaiban, more than 100 children have been killed, and over 800 wounded. Displaced children are now living in precarious conditions, with overcrowded classrooms serving as makeshift shelters, and inadequate sanitation. Families are setting up tents along public beaches and roads, struggling to survive in the face of destruction.

The psychological toll on children is immense. Many have been traumatized by the violence, reacting in fear to the sound of shelling and gunfire. “We’re just at the beginning, but already the impact has been profound,” Chaiban warned, highlighting the long-term effects this conflict will have on children.

Health and Infrastructure in Crisis

Lebanon’s health and water infrastructure has also been severely damaged. Over 100 primary healthcare centers are out of service, and 12 hospitals are either completely non-functional or operating at limited capacity. Additionally, 26 water stations, which provide clean water to 350,000 people, have been damaged. The destruction of these critical resources further exacerbates the dire conditions for those displaced.

Call for Cease-Fire and International Aid

Chaiban urged all parties to protect civilian infrastructure and called for an immediate cease-fire in both Lebanon and Gaza. He stressed that military action alone cannot resolve the conflict and called for a political solution to prevent further suffering.

UNICEF has issued an emergency appeal for $108 million to support Lebanon’s growing humanitarian needs. However, only 8% of this target has been funded three weeks into the conflict. Chaiban called on the international community to step up its efforts, stating, “We must do everything to stop this madness before it leads to more destruction, death, and suffering.”

The Road Ahead

As the conflict continues, Lebanon’s future looks increasingly uncertain, with hundreds of thousands of children at risk of losing their homes, families, education, and prospects for a better life. The country’s already fragile systems are nearing collapse. Without urgent international intervention, the consequences could be catastrophic for generations. The longer the crisis persists, the more severe its long-term impact will be on these children and their future.