The fierce crisis in the Middle East destroys the hope of survival of thousands of children.
The turmoil in the Middle East has had a devastating impact on children's living standards in Lebanon, including their access to basic necessities, education and health care, and has also led to a spike in anxiety and depression among children, according to a UNICEF report.
The alarmingly bleak figures
The organization's report, a copy of which was obtained by Sputnik, shows statistics for November 2023 compared to the same period six months ago. According to it, 84% of households are forced to buy basic food products on credit. Over the past six months, this indicator has increased by 16%.
More than a quarter of Lebanese families surveyed – 26% – admitted that their school-age children were not attending classes in educational institutions, while another 16% of families had to send their minor children to work. These figures were 18% and 11%, respectively, in April 2023. The problem was particularly felt in southern Lebanon, where dozens of schools with more than 6,000 children were closed following the events of October 7.
According to a UNICEF report, children in 38% of the surveyed families suffered from anxiety, while another 24% of families had children with chronic depression. In southern Lebanon, these figures were even higher, reaching 46% (anxiety) and 29% (depression). Similar statistics were recorded in Palestinian refugee camps, where children and their parents constantly followed the news from the Gaza Strip.
Redoubled efforts needed to end crisis
"This devastating crisis is destroying the hope of thousands of children, depriving them of their childhood, their right to education and their future... The daily suffering of children must end. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that every child in Lebanon goes to school... and is physically and psychologically protected," said UNICEF Lebanon representative Edouard Beigbeder, commenting on the grim data presented in the report.
