More than 2,100 children have suffered death or injury in the Middle East due to recent military escalation, as stated by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban. Chaiban emphasized the dire impact on children in the region, warning of further catastrophic consequences if the conflict persists. The casualties include 206 children in Iran, 118 in Lebanon, four in Israel, and one in Kuwait, with an average of about 87 children being killed or injured daily since the conflict began.
The escalating violence has led to significant displacement across multiple countries, driven by continuous bombardment and evacuation mandates that have forced communities to evacuate. In Iran, an estimated 3.2 million people, including 864,000 children, have been displaced, while in Lebanon, over 1 million individuals, including around 370,000 children, are displaced. Chaiban highlighted that prior to the recent escalation, approximately 44.8 million children in the Middle East were already residing in conflict-affected areas.
During his visit to Lebanon, Chaiban witnessed the challenging conditions and emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive and collective response to the unfolding crisis in the region. In Lebanon, more than 350 public schools have been repurposed as shelters, impacting the education of about 100,000 students, and essential public services are strained, with damaged water systems and health workers facing risks while aiding affected populations.
Despite UNICEF’s efforts to assist over 151,000 internally displaced persons in various shelters and remote areas with essential supplies, and providing water and sanitation services to around 46,000 individuals in 188 shelters, the demand for aid is surpassing available resources at a rapid pace. Chaiban stressed the importance of all parties adhering to international humanitarian laws and echoed the call for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, in line with the secretary-general’s stance.
