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

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon is having a devastating impact on children's mental health, according to Janti Soeripto, the head of Save the Children US. In an interview with The National, Soeripto emphasized that the trauma of displacement - losing family members, friends, and homes - is something "no child should ever have to live through."

Despite a "ceasefire on paper," daily life for families in Lebanon, particularly in the south, is marked by bombings, shelling, and the continuous destruction of schools, hospitals, and homes. Soeripto recently visited Lebanon and observed children and families struggling to cope with the aftermath of the war. She noted that about 55 villages in the south are under Israeli control, and nearly 40,000 homes have been destroyed in that region.

Of the over 4,000 people killed since March, around 250 of them are children, and approximately 300,000 people remain displaced. Soeripto explained that even if displaced families feel safe, they have lost their homes, income, jobs, or businesses, and many have depleted their life savings. With skyrocketing inflation, accessing food, fuel, and other necessities is becoming increasingly difficult.

The lack of schooling, which not only provides education but also serves as a safe space for children to interact, is exacerbating the mental health crisis. Over 340 schools have been destroyed or damaged, and those that remain are used as refuges for the displaced. Save the Children estimates that at least 100,000 children are at risk of missing the next school year, putting them at significant risk of falling behind socially and emotionally.

Despite the urgent needs of families in Lebanon, Soeripto highlighted that humanitarian funding for the country is only at 20% of the required amount. She called for increased global attention and funding, as conflicts like Lebanon, Gaza, and Ukraine are often overshadowed by other crises. Soeripto will be in New York this week to appeal to member states to provide more support for children in conflict zones, emphasizing that many of the challenges faced by these children are man-made and solvable.