Lebanon: One in five children goes to bed hungry, says UNICEF
UNICEF reports that one in five children in Lebanon goes to bed hungry amid deepening economic crisis and ongoing conflict, with 770,000 youngsters facing psychological distress.
Four out of five households in Lebanon now struggle to afford basic necessities, pushing families to skip meals and forgo essentials like school enrollment and clothing for children. UNICEF’s latest alert highlights that 20% of households report children going to bed hungry, while a similar share lacks sufficient drinking water. The crisis has left families unable to meet even the most basic needs, with parents describing impossible choices between food, education, and healthcare.
UNICEF Lebanon Representative Marcoluigi Corsi warned that children are enduring ‘profound psychological distress,’ with an estimated 770,000 young people affected. The conflict has compounded years of economic decline since 2019, leaving families displaced and homes destroyed, particularly in southern Lebanon where Israeli occupation persists. Airstrikes and demolitions continue despite a 17 April ceasefire, further complicating recovery efforts.
The humanitarian toll is severe: 261 children have been killed and 1,056 injured since 2 March 2026, averaging seven casualties daily. Education has collapsed, with 436 schools damaged or destroyed, displacing 100,000 children from classrooms. Financial strain has forced 46% of families to cut education spending, while 17% have withdrawn children from school entirely.
UNICEF’s response includes treating injured children, delivering supplies to shelters, and supporting displaced families, but the agency warns that without sustained action, an entire generation may face lifelong scars. The crisis has deepened since the 2023–2024 fighting and the 2019 economic collapse, leaving 83% of displaced families uncertain about returning home.