Children Forced into Labor in Lebanon Amid Escalating Hostilities
Children as young as four are being forced to work in Lebanon due to a “massive collapse” in humanitarian funding and escalating hostilities on the country’s southern border with Israel, according to UN child experts.
Urgent Call for Ceasefire
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza to prevent further harm to children. The intensifying exchanges of fire between armed militants Hezbollah and the Israeli military have resulted in airstrikes reaching deeper into Lebanon, leading to the death of 344 people, including eight children.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder emphasized the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire to prevent a full-scale war that would have devastating consequences for Lebanon’s 1.3 million children and the region as a whole.
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding
The escalating violence has led to the displacement of 30,000 children out of 90,000, with key infrastructure, including water stations and health facilities, being destroyed. Around 100,000 people are now without access to clean drinking water, and 23 health facilities serving 4,000 individuals have been closed.
Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation
The crisis in Lebanon has worsened, with new data showing high rates of wasting among children in informal tented settlements for the displaced. Families are resorting to begging, and children as young as four are being forced to work in agriculture to survive.
Communities are struggling to meet basic needs, with children earning as little as $2 per day to provide meals. The situation is becoming more severe and tragic, with families losing everything due to the economic crisis exacerbated by the recent hostilities.
Impact on Displaced and Refugees
The conflict has left many Lebanese families displaced, with livelihoods lost for the second time. Syrian refugees, already living in extreme poverty, are among the most vulnerable, facing long-term challenges due to unexploded ordnance in agricultural areas.
Funding Shortfall
Despite growing needs, critical funding for humanitarian aid has significantly reduced in the past few months, leading to cuts in essential services. The collapse in funding has impacted the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation services in overburdened communities.
Tensions and Trauma
Tensions between Lebanese and Syrian refugee communities have risen, impacting children daily. Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are also experiencing trauma, witnessing the events unfolding in Gaza and facing their challenges in refugee camps.
