The conflict between armed groups in Lebanon and the Israeli army from October 2023 to November 2024 caused significant trauma to over 1.3 million children and families. The fragile ceasefire agreement is a critical first step toward protecting children from further harm, enabling War Child to continue to provide the urgent support they need.
Last year saw the worst escalation of hostilities in Lebanon since 2006, causing widespread devastation, mass displacement, and the breakdown of essential services.
War Child has a long history in Lebanon as a critical mental health and psychosocial support provider. This meant that we were able to respond quickly to the crisis.
Since late September, War Child’s emergency response has provided mental health support, hygiene kits and hot meals to more than 6,610 children and 3,162 families.
Working closely with our local partners, War Child prioritised the urgent needs of children and families who moved to displacement shelters and established safe spaces to support them.
Our team helped children find a sense of normalcy during a time of immense stress and uncertainty. Many of the children were displaying symptoms of distress and War Child’s experts provided direct care at the shelters. Through play, music, and art, children were given the space to express themselves.
War Child Facilitator Mira Chaaban explains impact sessions can have: “During a LEGO activity, children first built a scene of their ruined hometown, destroyed homes, blocked roads, a reporter, and a drone symbolising tension. They included a truck clearing rubble and figures aiding recovery. Two figures on a couch represented their own experience as observers.
As they shared their creations, they spoke of life before the war, expressing loss. Then, their focus shifted: "We will come back and fix everything." They began rebuilding, adding homes, animals, and vibrant life. By the end, their scene reflected resilience, hope, and determination to restore their lives and their community.”
Now, 2025 brings hope and determination for the people of Lebanon. The recent ceasefire agreements have provided temporary relief, allowing some displaced families to return home, but thousands of homes, schools, and public facilities remain destroyed.
“Many people have lost everything, and countless others are facing immense challenges as they try to rebuild their lives from scratch. It’s crucial that we stand ready to support these hundreds of thousands of people, not just in the immediate future but for the long journey ahead,” says Nisrine Yassine, War Child Country Director for Lebanon.
Moving forward, War Child’s experienced team will prioritise reaching communities that are farthest from support. Our team is responding right now and scaling up our activities where it’s needed most.
We will continue to stand up for children’s rights and create safe spaces for those who are still displaced. We will also expand our mental health support to help children and their families heal from the trauma they have faced. It is crucial to address children's psychological wounds so they can fully engage in education and other activities without the burden of trauma holding them back.
Filmed at the height of the escalation, the video below shows the power of music in bringing children together to sing and relieve stress.
The conflict has severely impacted the education system, with over 50 schools still closed due to damage or are otherwise unsafe. To address this, we are scaling up our award-winning Can’t Wait to Learn programme hyperlink in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Can’t Wait to Learn uses tablets, laptops, and mobile phones to deliver education in communities affected by conflict or where resources are limited. It allows children to learn to read and develop numeracy skills at their own pace. Without this support, many children would not be receiving any education at all.
However, we know that only lasting peace will allow children to fully recover and build a future. War Child urges all parties to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians, especially children.
War Child stands with the children and families whose lives been turned upside down by this conflict. Through mental health support, getting children back into the classroom, and working closely with our local partners and the government, we aim to help communities heal and regain hope.
Together we can ensure Lebanon’s children are not left to suffer the consequences of a crisis they did not start.
