Lebanon’s Children After the War: A Psychological, Nutritional, and Educational Crisis
Source: Lebanese Forces Website Team
The recent war in Lebanon has caused catastrophic damage to children’s lives, with its effects still lingering even after the ceasefire took effect in November 2024, according to a new UNICEF report. The devastating conflict forced children to flee their homes, severely damaged facilities providing essential services, and inflicted physical and psychological suffering on children across the country.
UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, Akil Ayyar, stated:
“The war has left a shocking impact on children, affecting every aspect of their lives—their health, education, and entire future. Lebanon’s children urgently need support to recover, rebuild their lives, and overcome the long-term consequences of this crisis.”
A UNICEF survey conducted in January 2025 revealed that 72% of caregivers reported their children experienced anxiety or stress during the war, while 62% said their children were extremely sad or felt depressed. This marks a significant increase compared to pre-war data from 2023.
Although 8 out of 10 caregivers noted improvements in their children’s mental health after the ceasefire, children who endured prolonged stress and trauma may face lifelong psychological and health consequences.
A Worsening Nutritional Crisis
The assessment also highlighted alarming trends in child nutrition, particularly in densely populated areas like Baalbek-Hermel and Bekaa, which suffered repeated airstrikes.
In Baalbek-Hermel, more than half (51%) of children under two years old suffer from severe food poverty, while in Bekaa, the rate has risen to 45%, a sharp increase from 28% in 2023. A child is considered to be in severe food poverty if they consume two or fewer of the eight essential food groups.
The crisis extends beyond infants and young children. The survey found that 49% of children under 18 in Bekaa and 34% in Baalbek-Hermel had either not eaten at all or had only one meal the day before the survey. Nationally, the rate stood at 30%.
Inadequate nutrition and low meal frequency negatively impact children’s growth, cognitive development, and increase their risk of life-threatening acute malnutrition.
The War’s Impact on Education
The war has further exacerbated Lebanon’s education crisis. Even before the conflict, more than 500,000 children were out of school due to years of economic collapse, teacher strikes, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The war destroyed schools, severely damaged others, and converted hundreds into displacement shelters for some of the 1.3 million people forced to flee their homes.
Even after the ceasefire, school attendance remains low. As of last month’s survey, over 25% of children were still out of school, compared to 65% during the war.
Many children are unable to attend school due to financial barriers. Two-thirds of families with out-of-school children cited high tuition fees, transportation costs, and school supplies as the main reasons—double the rate recorded in 2023.
Other Concerning Findings from the Assessment:
• 45% of households had to cut spending on healthcare, while 30% reduced spending on education to cover basic needs.
• 31% of households lacked access to sufficient drinking water.
• 33% of households could not obtain necessary medications for their children.
• 22% of households had no heating source during winter.
Lebanon faces immense challenges in recovering from the war’s effects, compounded by years of political and economic turmoil. UNICEF provided support to children during the conflict and remains committed to assisting in recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Akil Ayyar emphasized:
“This data provides undeniable evidence of the urgent need for action. Lebanon must receive the necessary support to rebuild infrastructure and essential services,ensuring a better future for children.” He added:
“At this critical and defining moment in Lebanon’s history, we cannot afford to wait. We urge all parties to uphold the ceasefire agreement and work with the international community to maintain lasting peace and secure a brighter future for children. We also call on the new government to prioritize children’s rights and needs in its reform and recovery agenda.”
Given the complexity of the current crisis and its long-term impact on children, sustainable support is urgently needed during these critical times. UNICEF is calling on the international community to stand by Lebanon’s children and contribute to the 2025 Humanitarian Response Appeal, which seeks $658.2 million to provide life-saving aid to 2.4 million people across the country.