Trauma of displacement in Lebanon something 'no child should ever have to live through'

The ongoing war in Lebanon is taking a devastating toll on children's mental health, with safe spaces like schools destroyed despite a "ceasefire on paper", according to Janti Soeripto, head of Save the Children US. In an interview with The National, Soeripto emphasized that the trauma of displacement – including the loss of family members, friends, and homes – is something "no child should ever have to live through."

Soeripto recently visited Lebanon and witnessed firsthand the struggles of children and families coping with the aftermath of the war. She reported that approximately 55 villages in the south are under Israeli control, and about 40,000 homes have been destroyed in that region alone. Out of the more than 4,000 people killed since March, around 250 of them are children, and about 300,000 people remain displaced.

Even if displaced families feel temporarily safe, Soeripto noted that they have lost their homes, income, jobs, or sometimes their businesses. Many families have depleted their life savings, and with limited job opportunities in their new locations, they must rely on charity and loans to survive. With inflation soaring, access to food, fuel, and other necessities is becoming increasingly scarce.

The lack of schooling is another major issue, as more than 340 schools have been destroyed or damaged, and those that have not been completely destroyed have become shelters for the displaced. This disruption in education not only prevents children from acquiring knowledge but also deprives them of the social and emotional support provided by school environments.

According to Save the Children, at least 100,000 children are at risk of missing the next school year, putting them at a considerable risk of falling behind socially and emotionally.

Despite the urgent needs of families in Lebanon, Soeripto highlighted that the humanitarian appeal for the country is only 20% funded. She criticized the hesitation from funders, particularly when it comes to conflict-affected areas like Lebanon. Moreover, Soeripto pointed out that numerous global crises are diverting attention and causing a shift towards domestic concerns, with some adopting a wait-and-see approach to conflicts like Lebanon, Gaza, and Ukraine, as peace-building seems distant.

Soeripto will be in New York this week to appeal to member states at the UN General Assembly to provide generous support to children in conflict zones. She stressed that more children are in need than ever before, primarily due to man-made issues that we know how to address. "Let's stand shoulder to shoulder to address these things," she urged.