Children go to bed hungry in one in five Lebanese households, warns Unicef

In Lebanon, one in five households is failing to provide adequate food for their children, according to a recent Unicef report. The conflict in the country has exacerbated years of economic hardship, pushing children into hunger, out of education, and into labor as families battle to afford basic necessities. The report surveyed 22% of households, finding that 14% had at least one child working.

Lebanon's economic crisis, which intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, has left the economy in shambles, with GDP shrinking by nearly 40% and the national currency losing nearly all its value. The latest conflict, between Israel and Hezbollah, has further impacted children, with at least 261 killed and 1,056 injured since March.

Unicef's representative in Lebanon, Marcoluigi Corsi, highlighted the dire situation, stating that children are being asked to bear a burden no child should carry. The report also revealed severe disruptions in education, with 436 schools damaged or destroyed, leaving around 100,000 children without access to classrooms. Nearly half of families reported cutting education spending, and 17% said their children had to stop attending school.

Additionally, an estimated 770,000 children have experienced psychological distress over the past six months, with more than half reporting worsening emotional well-being and anxiety. Corsi emphasized the urgent need for action to protect children and uphold their right to healthcare, education, protection, and opportunities to build their futures.